Why we want Calmer, Easier, Happier Mealtimes
Mealtimes are an important part of family life. They are opportunities for conversation, sharing and laughter. For many of us, dinnertime may be the only time when the whole family regularly comes together, so it is especially frustrating when complaining, squabbling, poor table manners or other misbehavior make meals less pleasant than we’d like.
Because food is so symbolic of love and nurturing, meals can be emotionally fraught for us. Many parents find themselves preparing a separate menu of so-called “kid-friendly” foods for their children. These foods unfortunately are often less healthy than what the adults are eating. Even the most nutritionally-savvy parent can fall into this habit as a way of avoiding tantrums and other “drama” where we least want it – at the dinner table.
Food issues are especially acute with children who are highly sensitive, both emotionally and physiologically. These children are often extremely sensitive to food flavors and textures and may reject entire food groups, like vegetables or fruit. They may end up subsisting on the highly refined, salty, sugary prepared foods which are unfortunately the least healthy for them.
The biggest reason parents turn to us for help
with mealtime problems
When parents come to us for help, it’s usually because they want to know how to get their kids to eat more than just a few things. Some are concerned about their child’s nutritional health and others just don’t want to make separate meals—they want their kids to be less picky. What almost all parents have in common is that they want to stop battling about food with their children. They’ve come to realize that all the nagging, urging, suggesting and negotiating doesn’t work and also makes mealtimes unpleasant.
Getting children to try, tolerate and like new foods is absolutely achievable, and we share step-by-step strategies to get there, such as the “First Plate Plan”. Thousands of parents around the world have used this approach to transform picky eaters into adventurous eaters. There is a parent story section in this audiobook where you can hear how parents are using this approach successfully to end mealtime battles.
Healthy eating and behavior
Many families have found that eating more nutritious foods actually leads to a noticeable improvement in their child’s behavior. It is well known that “whole foods” provide superior nutrition and minimize the highs and lows of spiking blood sugar which are common with highly refined, salty, sugary packaged foods.
Improving table manners
In addition to picky eating and nutritional issues, table manners are an issue for many families. We really aren’t doing our children any favors when we tolerate poor table manners. In order to fit in socially and feel self-confident when they are eating a meal away from home, children need to not only know what good manners are, but to automatically use them.
You will learn to effectively teach the table manners that are important to you, and to help your children eat a varied, healthy diet with the Calmer, Easier, Happier Mealtimes Audiobook.
Results
The Calmer, Easier, Happier Mealtimes strategies are positive, respectful and practical. You can implement them immediately and see results. |
