The phrase “pick your battles” is often used to justify our desire as parents not to fight with our children about that which means little to us, or that which we feel means little to them for their future. In some things this is a sanity-providing mantra that provides the necessary peace to move on to other things. For instance, if it is mentioned that your child perhaps should not wear jeans to church, yet you simply feel thankful that your child is happily by your side in church on Sunday, one might feel that this is not a fight worth picking.
As healthy eating goes, we all might occasionally feel that the fight for healthy foods at the table is just not worth it. Days get long, meal times get rushed. Sometimes, we just want to fill the bellies, pick up the mess, get on to the next activity or task, and go to bed. It might feel like a battle not worth fighting. The grumbling that many children engage in may not feel good to the moms and dads, and frankly, the parents themselves may feel more like fries than salad as well. Some may even feel that their children are naturally picky. While food preferences are very real, children will not allow themselves to starve. A good battle may be engaged in by both parties, but children (and adults) will not allow themselves to starve.
A wise teacher (from right here in Luverne!) once told me that it’s the parents’ job to be more persistent than their children. This perspective reaches across issues related to discipline, chores, and, of course, healthy eating.
So what are we fighting for, anyway? If we look around us and read the news, we can see that our nation is currently less healthy, less productive, and more vulnerable because of this. Little of this is related to access to health care. At least 80% of our health care is how we take care of ourselves and our families. Healthy foods and exercise can help energize our country to be the healthy, productive, strong nation we truly are.
In the coming weeks, let’s explore ways to encourage our children and ourselves to be as healthy as we can be. If any of you have suggestions, or problems that you face related to healthy eating and exercise, please email me at the address below. I’d love to hear from you! The goal is not to encourage a boring, unsatisfying lifestyle; quite the opposite! Pioneer families enjoyed their food, and every generation before and since. We, too, can provide enjoyable food and activity to help us be as healthy as we can be. I look forward to hearing from you.
Mary Brown is a registered nurse with an interest in health promotion and fitness. She can be reached at unionjack524@gmail.com.