Parenting in September is tricky. The kids are going through different levels of stress and anxiety which probably means they are perfect angels at school but turn into tyrants as soon as the bell rings. And the little ones are getting used to their increased independence and turn into leg magnets as soon as they arrive home. And we know, that when kids are stressed, or when there is any kind of change in their life, kids will take it out on us parents. And since I have written a book on picky eating the buttons my kids choose to push are all conveniently located at the kitchen table.
Both the boys (aged 7 and 4) come home for lunch. And as we parents and caregivers are standing outside waiting for them to arrive I often get asked what we are serving. My typical answer: pancakes/French toast/ noodles. Pancakes and French toast is often met with horror – those are breakfast foods! No, they are convenient and full of protein and fibre and the kids get to pour maple syrup on top. And that means there is no complaining. Because when you have a cranky child coming home, taking out all their morning stress on you and then rushing back to school to trade Pokemon cards, breakfast foods are just fine!
One of my children has chosen to erase all things dairy from their diet (well, except ice cream, but you knew that didn't you?). Getting them to drink milk has always been a bit of a challenge (no mummy doesn't like it). So chocolate milk and soy milk are our family's options. First he didn't like the brand of soy milk I was buying (after two years of loving it), he wanted the kind his friend Charlotte has, but then that one was a disappointment. But boy, it was fun getting mummy to buy new brands and see her sweat! And now I am told that "I just don't like dairy foods and it is my choice not to drink them. If I don't want strong bones it is my choice." OK, true enough.
So this was going on for a number of irritating days, (weeks?). And then he rediscovered Stonyfield yogurt. I am not one to go on about the greatest products coming from the U.S. but I have to say when it comes to yogurt they are miles ahead. And I LOVE Stonyfield yogurt and now so does he. They just changed their flavours and he loves the blackberry apple. I love the plain it has 2% fat. But I think fat free yogurt is no more than white jello, I would rather have a fattier, creamier yogurt with some fruit. Ok, so now he is still not getting the daily calcium requirements but we are working up to it – I saw him drink some chocolate milk when no one was looking.
But his iron must be high because the kid has turned into a total carnivore. Any kind of beef is ok with him. He ate brisket with sauce! (refer back some posts and to our book to relive my battle with sauce) He wants steak everynight. He'll even eat it cold (again reference Whining and Dining for that longstanding argument). He has turned into such a great eater that I use him as an example whenever someone tells me their kid doesn't eat meat. At the age of three he ate nothing but plain pasta. But now he eats steak, ribs, chicken, shrimp and a tons of peas, beans and fruit. And Stonyfield yogurt.
We did try to push his boundaries when we were away by bribing him to try mashed potatoes. Now we adults happen to know that mashed potatoes is one of the most delicious foods on earth, especially in a restaurant where they freely pour inthe butter and cream. My kids think they are disgusting (I think N. called them ugly). We were at a restaurant that amazingly had a kid's steak on it. And my my husband offered Z. two dollars to take one bit of mashed potatles. Z. was frozen in indecision, two dollars would get him closer to a pack of Pokemon cards but he would have to put something that he likened to poison in his mouth. The whole meal he didn't know what to do and then in a spur of avarice he went for it. And then spit them out and gagged. Too much pressure! I think mashed potatoes will be off the menu for years now. Take it from me, DO NOT TRY THIS!
So what's my middle one eating these days? Butter, lots of butter. I made the carrot bran muffins and he eats them slightly warm with butter. I get to eat the leftovers – a win win. I made them for my best friend who just had a baby and fibre is definitely a new mom's friend. But the big news around here is that he ate an apple with peel! Mydays of peelig fruit may be over! Hurrah. I find that an amazingly annoying task.
Luckily, home baked chocolate chip cookies and apricot bars, makes the transition to school a little easier for all of us.
