Council of nutritionists and psychologists
Children love it when people talk to them like adults. Therefore, even if your children are very young, tell them about proper and healthy nutrition, and about the dangers of certain foods. In a family where there is no cult of food, where parents eat healthy (well, or try to do so), children treat restrictions much more easily.
In general, if you want feasts not to harm the health of children, strictly follow the following course:
- be firm but not cruel,
- don’t even allow internal hesitation (“my poor child, maybe I should still let him eat this salad?”) - after all, children feel them very well,
- prepare an alternative to forbidden “delicacies”.
Better yet, don’t eat anything that your children absolutely cannot eat. This will make it much easier for them to cope with their desires. Happy holidays to everyone, bon appetit and no problems due to poor nutrition!
Photo - Lori's photo bank
You invite
If you are inviting guests, and children will come to you, and you have children, then it is not difficult to organize everything in the best possible way. And the most correct and simple option is a children's table. Until recently, this was a common phenomenon at many celebrations.
Nowadays you rarely see separate tables for children. And completely in vain.
Children love to celebrate separately from adults (but preferably nearby). And if you provide a bright tablecloth, special table settings and attractive dishes, then you won’t be able to lure kids to an adult table.
It is also important to find out in advance what your little guests can eat and what they should avoid. Now the choice of fruits and sweets is huge, it is quite possible to buy something that all the invited kids can eat without much difficulty and additional expenses.
What's a feast without a birthday cake? But if children are invited, it is better to replace it with homemade cakes or not too fatty cakes, muffins and cookies. If you still can’t do without a traditional cake, then pay attention to the following:
- buy only the freshest cake
- carefully study the composition, it should be as simple as possible, and the ingredients should be proven
- do not buy cakes with fondant for the children's table, especially if it is bright colors - in this case there is a possibility of allergic reactions
- choose cakes without a large amount of cream and without soaking in cognac or rum
Basic aspects in preparing for eating food
The most important rule is to wash your hands thoroughly before eating. Until the baby cannot do this on his own, then this is your direct responsibility: thoroughly wash your hands and dry them with a towel. By the age of two or three, the baby should clearly understand the need for this procedure. If the child sometimes forgets about this, then do not be lazy to remind him.
Etiquette for children needs to be instilled from childhood, for example, a boy should be taught that he is a gentleman. They should know that sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, etc. must be allowed to come to the table first, help them get something, etc. For a child, this knowledge is much easier to learn. If he has a clear example to follow before his eyes. Here a great responsibility lies with the dad, who must set a good example.
The child's position at the table is also very important. This has not only aesthetic significance, but also affects the health of the baby. Correct posture is the key to overall good development. If the child is very small, then sit him in a special chair, which will also protect him from falls.
Also, the baby should sit with all adults on the same level. The most convenient way would be to sit the child next to you, on the left side. This way, if he drops something, it won't be difficult for you to pick it up. Prohibit your child from stealing pieces of tasty food from the table until everyone has sat down at the table. It's pretty ugly. Teach your little one to sit down at the table and start eating with other family members and wish them a bon appetit.
When you and your child are visiting, explain to him that he should not rush to sit down at the table. The adults should sit first, and then the children. Perhaps there is a different table for kids.
After seating your child at the table, give him a few napkins. One piece of paper that can be used to wipe your dirty face. The second is linen, it should lie on his lap and protect his clothes from contamination. If the baby is still very small, then put on a special bib or bib.
Introducing your child to cutlery
The first cutlery a child is introduced to is a spoon. This is due to the fact that you should not give your baby sharp or cutting objects, such as a knife and fork. Often, while eating, children begin to play with the plate. If this happens, then you can safely remove the bowl from him, since the child has already eaten.
At approximately 3 years of age, you can give your child a fork. But remember that you cannot leave him alone with this device, it is not safe. And already somewhere around the age of 6-7, children are allowed to use a knife. The child must remember the basic rule that we hold the knife with our right hand and the fork with our left.
Personal example
This problem should be solved gradually. When you sit at the table with a child, you yourself should be an example to him: eat correctly, observing etiquette, know how to use cutlery, not talk when dropping food, thank him for food. Never raise your voice at the table. Don’t do this especially when the child is not doing well. For example, a child cannot hold a fork correctly; he cannot do it. Better put it away, and then, after lunch, show him what he did wrong. Talk about safety precautions and it’s better if he practices a little himself on toys, for example.
Why is he allowed, but not me?
The situation becomes more complicated if there are several children at the table. In this case, it may turn out that some children are allowed by their parents to eat, if not everything, then a lot, and your child is content only with those dishes that have passed your strict and biased control. And there is a high probability of the question: “Why is he allowed, but not me?”
And the child’s bewilderment and even indignation is understandable. In this case, remind your baby that you care about his health, you are trying to do everything so that he does not get sick and feels good, because you love him so much.
By the way, it is better to take out the pre-approved “goodies” at this very moment, when the child has already begun to worry and demand justice. They will help the little person come to terms with the need to follow the rules.
You are invited
If you are invited to visit, then it is wisest to take care of food for your kids yourself, especially when you go to a house where there are no children. And in the case when the health of your children requires dietary nutrition and a special approach, it is even more necessary to prepare so as not to create additional difficulties for the owners and other guests. After all, a child who cries because he cannot eat almost anything that is on the table filled with such tempting dishes is unlikely to help in creating a festive atmosphere.
In cafes and restaurants
Has your family been invited to a celebration, or do you want to change the scenery and have dinner at a restaurant? It is not necessary to leave the child with the grandmother. 1. Discuss in advance
with your child where you are going to go.
Tell him who will be at the party and what will be served. Together with your child, choose beautiful clothes and shoes. 2. When going to a holiday, be sure to focus on your baby’s daily routine
.
If you're going out to dinner, make a reservation early. If your child is used to going to bed at nine in the evening, by half past nine you will already have a capricious little one in your arms. 3. Consider where exactly you are going. A restaurant with candles, live music and a pompous audience is not the best place for a child under five years old. Give preference to a family establishment
with an affordable children's menu and a special corner for games.
4. If you are invited to a celebration with your baby, practice table manners
. Keep in mind that the child is only able to demonstrate the skills that he was taught at home. The magic words “thank you” and “please”, the ability to chew with your mouth closed and speak quietly are quite enough for any feast.
Posture of a future schoolchild
School years are just around the corner, which means there are ten years ahead of you to ruin your posture. Teach your child to sit at the table in the correct position in advance - this way you will save his posture at school.
5. Try to come to the holiday when your child has already “walked up”, otherwise the excess energy will not allow him to sit at the table for a long time.
and paper with you 6. If your first outing was not very successful, do not blame the child for this. Take into account your own mistakes and repeat your visit or restaurant in a couple of months. Let the baby gain experience.
