I will start this post by saying that if you aren’t up for a dose of truth and reality then you should probably close this page now and not read any further.
I was on vacation last week with my family and I have to tell you about our experience at a restaurant one night when we were out for dinner. Actually there were two incidents that happened that night that left me stunned and enraged.
First, there was a family seated at the table next to us and the kids were wild! Screaming, running around standing on their chairs, feet on the table…it was madness. Now, as a parent I do understand that eating out can be a challenge…but that’s where parenting comes in to play.
As a parent it is your job to teach right from wrong…at the very least maybe give a good healthy, “Stop it!” As these kids were getting more and more out of control the mom, who up to this point was doing her best to completely ignore her children, pulled out a portable dvd player from her purse and plopped it in front of these kids to quiet them. The food hadn’t even hit the table yet! From there they went into a trance. The food came but they didn’t eat or drink and barely blinked.
I am guessing that it is likely a part of their normal routine–plop the kids in front of the magic baby sitter (aka TV) to eat a meal. Who carries a portable dvd in their purse??? What has this family taught their kids?
Responsible parenting is tough. It’s pretty much the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done.
The second incident that night stared a family that came into the restaurant with their little darlings in tow and in hand, a big bag from a fast food restaurant that starts with Mc. OMG, really?
You are going to eat at a great restaurant with an incredible variety of healthy options but, you are bringing in junk food for the kids, how absolutely awful. I listened as the mother explained to the waiter that the kids just wouldn’t eat anything but that faux food. My thought…wow, you have failed as a parent. (My husband even took the opportunity to Tweet out the #fail). You have taught them that it is ok not to eat healthy food. You have laid the foundation for a lifetime of excuses, bad habits, potential health problems…way to go.
Again, parenting is tough and yes there will be times that kids don’t want to eat but if you give them fries, pop (soda for my American friends) and fried food as the alternative you are giving them a death sentence. How are you going to feel when you child is diagnosed with high blood pressure or diabetes? How are you going to help you kids cope when they become obese? What favours are you doing for them by going to the drive thru for those fries??
It’s lazy. Yup, I said it. You aren’t up for the potential melt down? You want to let the little ones control the menu options? Just spineless enough to let them get what they want as opposed to what they need? Toughen up as the parent, its a life or death matter. Trust me, as a former obese kid/teen it was awful and it still stays with me.
I get emails and comments from people each and everyday from clients and friends telling me, “I don’t like that healthy food”, “salad is boring”, “just a little cheat is OK right?” I could write a book on lame excuses.
So is it exciting and fulfilling to be overweight or unhappy with how you look/feel? How fabulous do you feel when you can’t fit into your pants? When you are huffing and puffing because you had to walk a flight of stairs, is that exciting? Suffering from lower body joint pain because the stress your knees, hips and ankles are under supporting extra weight….that has to be a good time, right???
You have to eat real food and you have to take that 10 minutes to make it. Is that so overwhelming??? puh-lease???
Excuses for not eating properly will give you obesity, knee pain, back pain, health issues (diabetes, high cholesterol, and on and on).
So when you eat that sleeve of cookies or have that cake or drive thru for your dinner think about it. What are you doing? Why would you self inflict this on yourself or your family?
What do you want to teach your children? That it’s ok to eat like crap? It’s ok to ignore your kids and let the electronics watch over them? Don’t make healthy choices…make convenient ones?
Or do you want to teach your children healthy choices for life. That you care enough for them to make tough choices for their benefit. That they are the most important people on earth and you want them to be great adults? Remember, you are not raising children, you are creating responsible adults.
Agree or disagree? Let me know your thoughts. Even, add some of your strategies for healthier kids, parenting skills, tips and tricks. Love to know what you think!
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