Nicole

Happy New Year! In anticipation of the new year approaching, the past few weeks I've spent more time reflecting on 2019 and thinking about what I want in 2020. Today I want to share with you two things that are at the forefront of my thoughts. First... Thank YOU! I am so grateful you are here on this journey with me.

Holiday parties, school events, social media, magazine articles, in line at the grocery store... I don't know about you, but no matter where I go this time of year, I hear about someone's diet, them being "bad," or how they need to lose weight. Just this past week I removed myself from two different situations, one at a lovely school breakfast event with my preschooler and the other at a friend's holiday party.

Does this sound at all familiar? A toddler trying to climb out of her seat. A 7-year-old trying to stand on the table. And a 4-year-old wanting to sit on your lap. Yes! That's what my dinner table often looks like ?‍♀️ I call my mission Joyful eating for you and your family, but sometimes my meals are anything but joyful. How are meals going for you?

Even if you're not celebrating Thanksgiving, this email is still for you! I'm covering how to navigate holiday meals or any meal with others involved! As you know, following the Division of Responsibility (DOR) means that you provide the food and trust your child to eat what they choose. This means your child may only eat one food, or not eat at all! I've been looking at recipes and trying to decide what to make for sides to go with our Thanksgiving turkey. Today I'm leaving for camping, so I'm also trying to keep things simple!

I'm wondering, how do you handle meals and snacks in your home? Do you tend to be relaxed and let everyone eat when and what they want? This might be snacking throughout the day at different times and letting everyone choose whatever they feel like having at meals. As my 7 year old quotes me one time saying, "It's not a free for all!" Or are you really structured with your meals and snacks? Do you only allow eating at certain times, almost always the same day to day, and you choose what to eat? What's served is served!

Do you have a kiddo who would only eat cookies, candy, and chips all day if you let him? Are you wondering, how to help your child's sugar obsession? You're definitely not alone! I hear this all the time from other parents too! You probably watch your kid eat an abundant amount of cookies at a party. Ask for ice cream all day. Or you give them a bowl of chips and they seemingly always want more!

Every time my mom watches my kids she says, "They eat so much fruit!" And, "They never stop eating!" She has started bringing fruit to my house when she watches them because she feels bad they go through so much. I know she wants them to be happy, get enough to eat, and to eat what they want. But it begs the question, "Should I let my kid eat what he wants?"