“I am not your servant!” My 6-year-old daughter, with her hands firmly on her hips and her eyebrows raised, declared this truth as I asked her to relocate her stack of Eloise books from the kitchen table to her room. After a moment of negotiation followed by a promise of dessert, she begrudgingly complied. I chuckled to myself, remembering that she picked up this phrase from none other than me. It’s one of my go-to lines, after all, and of course, kids love to wield it against their parents.
It’s amusing how my children act like little aristocrats, expecting to be catered to, even when I know for a fact that we have no servants at home. Perhaps they’ve inherited this notion from my mother, who has recently transformed into a kind-hearted handmaiden of sorts: “Can I get you anything, darling? Have you had enough to eat?” Or maybe it stems from their baby days, when they relied on me for every single need. Who knows, it might even be the influence of house elves from Harry Potter!
Regardless of the origin, I’ve decided to turn their high expectations into an advantage for both them and me. I’ve embraced my role as a snack concierge, but only when it comes to snacks.
Having navigated the picky eating landscape for seven years, particularly since my son transitioned from an adventurous eater to a child who would rather skip meals than touch a ham sandwich, I realized I needed a strategy. I began my journey by reading insightful parenting books like Just Take a Bite by Lori Ernsperger and Tania Stegen-Hanson, and I ensured the kids were on a good multivitamin. While my kids may be slim, they’re still tracking well on the growth charts.
Since I refuse to force-feed them, they’ve developed a somewhat limited but healthy diet. They might see a colorful array of nutritious foods on their plates, but they aren’t obligated to eat any of it. This has left me with no option but to be clever—especially when it comes to sneaking in fruits, vegetables, and protein.
1. Appetizers, Not Snacks
Instead of allowing the kids to help themselves to Goldfish or granola bars, I present them with a delightful platter of sliced fruits, cheeses, whole grain crackers, and veggies, ready for easy snacking. This tactic works wonders, especially when I leave it out during their screen time.
2. Sous-Chef Skills
When I pack their lunches, I do the peeling and chopping for them. This week, for instance, I’ve prepared cherries by pitting them and removing the stems—these treats disappear faster than any junk food.
3. Anticipate Their Moods
I’ve learned that my kids are the hungriest right after they wake up and post-school. At those times, I keep healthy snacks readily available while I prepare the main meal, all while maintaining a casual vibe.
4. Be Prepared
I always pack nutritious snacks for our outings, preventing them from making unhealthy choices at gas stations or rummaging through the car for forgotten snacks. If they’re famished and the only options are applesauce or a baggie of almonds, they’re likely to choose the healthier route.
5. Go the Extra Mile
If my kids request a specific snack or I’m serving a treat, I also make sure to offer my healthy, prepped options alongside it.
The other day, while I was artfully arranging our snack platter, my mother exclaimed, “Wow, Jessica! What happened to you?”
“What kind of snacks did we have when I was little?” I asked her.
“We didn’t have snacks in the ’70s,” she replied.
Exactly! Back then, snacks consisted of a warm can of Tab or a squished Twinkie taken from the cabinet, and they were often a source of embarrassment. Today’s parents have learned from those calorie-counting days. Rather than restricting what kids can’t have, we focus on providing them with nutritious options they can enjoy.
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Summary:
Navigating picky eaters can be a challenge, but by embracing a role as a snack concierge, you can sneak healthy options into your kids’ diets. By presenting appealing and convenient snacks, anticipating their hunger cues, and being prepared for outings, you can encourage better eating habits without the stress of force-feeding.
Keyphrase: Sneaking nutrients into kids
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