Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, Kwanzaa, etc. There is no shortage of delicious food around this time of year! To many parents, holiday meals often come with a feeling of anxiety. Will my child eat anything that is served? Will he eat way too many desserts and get a stomachache? Will she have a meltdown because she only wants pasta? The worries are endless!
While holiday meals often require families to take risks with their child’s eating, it is also an important opportunity to challenge our children. Kids need to learn how to handle eating in many different settings with different types of people and unfamiliar foods. Of course being surrounded by sweets is also crucial for practicing portion control.
Here are some DO’s and DON’Ts when it comes to celebrating holiday meals with your family:
DO: Discuss the meal and possible menu items in advance with your child.
DON’T: Call them out during the meal for eating too much or too little.
DO: Offer a balanced snack 1-2 hours prior to the holiday meal.
DON’T: Force them to try new foods that are on the menu.
DO: Encourage them to serve themselves (family-style).
If you remember my post from last month, you should already know that the most important part of a holiday meal is enjoying the time together with your loved ones. The amount or types of foods that your child chooses to eat are just secondary.
Happy eating!