Adventures in Kindergarten: Life Lessons and a Mom’s Struggle to Let Go (a little)

By Beth Hubrich, RD, CaloriesCount contributor

Out of the Nest and Into the Frying Pan: Helping Your Children Make Healthier School Lunch Choices

Earlier this month, I dropped my “baby” off at kindergarten. For the most part, I have been a SAHM (stay at home mom) for the past five years and have treasured our trips to the zoo, park, science museum, etc., etc. For me, it felt like I was kind of “kicking” her out of the nest. It felt unnatural to drop her off and leave her in someone else’s care for approximately eight hours. But for her, she easily spread her wings and flew out of the nest – gliding into her new seat at school – and when I left her, she did not give the “nest” a second glance – already immersed in new friends and activities. I quickly put my sunglasses on to hide my weepy and sad eyes (yes, I made it out the door before she saw me crying) while my dear hubby called several times to make sure I was ok. (Or, perhaps, to ensure I did not run back to the school and pace up and down the hall until the bell rang.)

Nonetheless, “we” made it through a full week of school. But, one thing has really hit me over the past week. Have I done my job as a mother? Now that she is away from me for the better part of 8 hours, have I equipped her with everything she needs to make the right choices? (I know – you thought this was about school lunch, but stick with me, I’m getting there.) Will she use her manners? Will she be kind to classmates and stick up for herself and those who might be the target of taunts and teasing? Will she stand up for what’s right or go along with the crowd because it’s the easy thing to do? Will she comfort a friend who is sad and missing their parent? Will she run from a stranger?

And then it hit me – she will be making her own choices in the lunch room, too. As a mother that is worrisome but as a dietitian it’s even more concerning. (You know how the preachers’ children always seem to end up being the rebellious ones? I have always claimed that the Mom/RD would end up with the child with the worst eating habits. I can just hear the judgement, “Just look at what her kid eats and she’s a dietitian!”!) Up until now, my control freak self has been able to control (for the most part) what is put on the table and what is eaten. But now, there is a whole new world for her to explore. She can make a choice and I have no control. She can choose to eat only fruits and no veggies, or worse, she might choose neither.

So what’s a mom to do? While I might be an expert in nutrition, I don’t claim to be an expert mom. But, I do have a few practical, real world suggestions that you may find helpful. Read on for a few tips and let me know if you have any tips of your own. I’d love to hear from other moms (expert or not) who are in the “trenches” daily trying to help their baby birds make the best choices!

• Look at the school menu and let your child decide when they can eat in the cafeteria/lunch room and when they can bring their lunch. (If you pack their lunch, you have a little more control.)
• If they will be eating in the cafeteria, talk about the choices they can make and help them decide what will provide the best fuel for their body. For example, my baby bird told me that turnip greens are officially “disgusting.” But we also discussed how important vegetables are and that she should at least try the turnips because they help make you strong and fight off germs.
• Put nutrition on their level and make it relatable. Tell them why it’s important to eat fruits and vegetables. “Carrots are good for your eyes, so when you are playing hide and seek on the playground, you’ll be able to spot your friends quickly.”
• Take your child to the grocery store with you. Let them help you pick out the foods they like (especially fruits and vegetables.) Talk about the foods you are choosing and let them feel and smell the produce, especially. If they have input, they will be more likely to eat it later.
• Encourage them to cook with you. This can be some great bonding time and again it gives them a “stake” in their meal as they will be more likely to “buy into” dinner later.
• Get sneaky and add fruits and vegetables where you can without them knowing. For example, they might love sweet potato pancakes!
• Let your child help pack their lunch. Set some ground rules such as we need to have at least two veggies and a fruit – but let them choose the veggies and the fruit. And, show them how lettuce and tomato on their sandwich can “count” as the veggie serving.
• Personally, I don’t believe in good foods and bad foods. Foods are foods – they don’t have personalities. Instead, I tell my little bird that there are foods and drinks we can have all the time and then there are “sometime” foods. I believe in moderation and making certain things off limits may cause your little bird to want it more.
• And last but not least, be a good role model and lead by example. This is true not only for healthy eating habits, but also other things in life.

P.S. I also realized that while a lot of work has already been done, just because my little bird is at kindergarten, my job is not finished. My job will be an ongoing one throughout her life. Hooray for me – I am still needed!