Never let your kids see you do this…

Never let your kids see you “go on” a diet.

Your kids are watching, and repeating, everything you say and do. This includes what you eat, or what you don’t. No pressure, but YOU are the center of your child's world and their biggest role model. Become the example you want to influence your child's relationship with food.

When you pinch your stomach in front of the mirror, you're teaching your miniature shadow how to despise their own body before they've even grown into it. Children notice when their caretaker feeds the family differently than they feed themself. Spectating failed years of yo-yo dieting will become a core memory. Children typically grow to repeat their parent's patterns, even if you don’t directly tell them to “go on” a diet.

But it doesn’t have to be that way!

Let's start by focusing on how you talk to yourself. How would you react if you overheard someone say the things that you silently say to body shame yourself to your best friend? What if those negative things were said to your child?

While we can't reshape the diet culture overnight, we can create a safer, more supportive culture in your home today. Take responsibility as a parent to set boundaries for meal and snack times, and follow them yourself. Lead by example for your entire family. Here are

Meal time DOs:

1. Make mealtimes consistent and enjoyable experiences by engaging with family. Please power down phones, tablets, TVs, robots, etc.

2. Take a minute to honor your food preparation before digging in. Start a mindful discussion noticing textures, aromas, colors, and how you FUEL your fabulous body!

3. Listen to your body and trust it. It is your body's job to tell you when you're full, not your judgmental eyes.

Mealtime DON'Ts:

1. Don’t eat standing up or while mindlessly putting away leftovers. If you're hungry after eating, then you didn't listen to your body while sitting at the table.

2. Don’t bribe or reward with food. That goes for your children and for you!

3. Don’t punish when feeding expectations are not met. The next meal is an opportunity to try again. (If not, perhaps the expectations are what need to be changed.)

How did you feel reading these mealtime DOs and DON’Ts? Do you have another opinion or perhaps questions? I’d love to hear your thoughts via a nutrition session inquiry. Let’s discuss this further to help build the best nutrition plan to support you, and as a result your family.