“I am not your butler!” my 6-year-old son exclaimed, hands on his hips and eyebrows raised. I had simply asked him to move his mountain of superhero action figures from the dining table to his room. After a little persuasion, he complied, and I took a moment to chuckle at the irony—he learned that line from me. It’s one of my go-to phrases, so it’s no surprise that my kids wield it like a sword.
Despite the lack of actual servants in our household, my children seem to think they’re entitled to be catered to. Where did this idea come from? Perhaps it’s my mother, who has morphed into a silver-haired fairy godmother, always asking, “Can I get you something, darling? Are you full?” Or maybe it’s residual behavior from their baby days when they relied on me for everything. Could it be the magical house elves from Harry Potter?
Regardless of the source, I’ve learned to turn their royal expectations to my advantage when it comes to snacks.
For seven years, I’ve navigated the tricky waters of picky eating, ever since my daughter transitioned from a food-loving toddler to a mini-food critic who would rather skip dinner than touch a veggie. I began my journey with a parenting guide that understood the nuances of fussy eating (Just Take a Bite by Lori Ernsperger and Tania Stegen-Hanson) and ensured the kids took a quality multivitamin. While my kids may be slender, they’re still growing well, thankfully avoiding the dreaded growth chart dip.
Since I won’t force-feed them, they’ve settled into a healthy but somewhat narrow diet. They might see a rainbow of nutritious foods on their plates, but they don’t have to eat them. This has pushed me to get creative, especially with fruits, veggies, and proteins. Here’s how I’ve embraced my snack butler role:
1. Appetizers, Not Snacks
Instead of letting the kids grab Goldfish crackers or a granola bar, I set out a colorful platter of sliced fruits, cheeses, whole grain crackers, and veggies, all easy to munch on. This works wonders if I leave it out during times they’re distracted, like during screen time.
2. Mini Chef
When I pack fruits for their lunches, I peel and chop them first. This week, they’ve been devouring cherries, which I’ve pitted and stemmed with a nifty gadget. They disappear faster than those Goldfish!
3. Predict Their Hunger
I’ve realized my kids are hungriest right after waking up and right after school. I keep healthy snacks readily available during these peak times while casually prepping the main meal.
4. Plan Ahead
I always have healthy snacks packed for road trips, so they’re not tempted by gas station junk. If they’re starving and the only choice is a packet of almonds or applesauce, they might just go for it!
5. Go the Extra Mile
If my kids request a specific snack or I’m serving dessert, I also whip out a healthy option that’s prepped and ready to go.
Just the other day, while I was arranging our snack platter, my mom exclaimed, “What on earth happened to you, Jenna?” I chuckled and asked, “What did you do for snacks when I was a kid?” She replied, “We didn’t have snacks in the ’70s.” Exactly! Back then, snacks consisted of a warm can of soda and a squished Twinkie. How times have changed! Modern parents have learned a lot since those calorie-counting days. Now, instead of telling kids what they can’t have, we focus on giving them what’s good for them.
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Summary
Navigating picky eating can be a challenge for parents, but by adopting a ‘snack butler’ approach, you can creatively ensure your kids get the nutrients they need. Offering visually appealing, easy-to-eat snacks and anticipating their hunger at key times can help make nutritious eating a fun experience.