kids vs. food vs. parents vs. ME

Being a "Big" in the Big Brother Big Sister program is definitely a learning experience. I knew that it would be from the begining and I am so optimistic about the things that we approach in our friendship/mentorship.

I am learning SO much about myself, about other people, and most of all.... kids. Wow. With not being completely positive if having a child of my own will be in my future, I know that kids are a huge element in our world and adore them so much. My love for kids brings up so many emotions when it comes to the way they are parented, the way they are treated, and the way they treat themselves.

I am on this recent journey to help mentor my "little" on the importance of nutrition and health. Coming from a family that was "low income" as a child living with a single parent, and my "little" being on the list of "low income" with both parents at home, I know how difficult it can be to feed these little growing bodies. In a generation of FA(s)T FOOD the alternative is time consuming, more expensive, and more complicated to buy and prepare. I get that.

So today I went to the library and pulled as many books as I could on nutrition and cooking for kids (and a few for myself). The issue I have had is giving my "little" an option (because I am not there to be her parent) of what to eat when we go out.

"Fries!!!.... maybe chicken strips too. OH, and a mountain dew!"

Ok, I usually refuse the soda to the server.

But how do I go around this without stepping on the toes of the parents? That is my challenge.

{Couple books I pulled}

Carbonated Beverages-The Incredibly Disgusting Story

http://www.rosenpublishing.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=55302&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Weight Watchers-Eat!Move! Play!

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=87051

Dinner for Busy Moms

http://www.dinnerforbusymoms.com/

Yum-O The Family Cookbook from Rachael Ray

http://www.yum-o.org/

Any suggestions that YOU would like to share about child nutrition???? Please comment & share.
Aj