Kids Dish

A few notes from the latest edition of NZ magazine; 'dish'

Start them young (pg 19) Catherine Bell on her visit to Spain:

" ..it was not just adults who were dining, but often numerous children..Eating out is seen as a family affair..when children sit at a table and share food with adults whether it is at home or in a public place,it instills in hem a sense of worth"

She watched the children "help themselves from shared platters-the mothers did not serve them what they thought they might eat-the children made up their own minds.It is a matter of course that the children will eat the same food as the adults."

Teach our children well (Pg 121):

"..problems with childrens relationship to food now evident through over-comsumption of processed foods, parents who don't cook and the decline of families eating meals together around the table"

Faith Willinger; "I'd like to stamp out the kids menu. In Italy children eat the same as grown-ups-but in smaller porions

Joy Kitt; "Parents have kids going to dance gym and things, but not helping with the cooking."

*Eating together around the table  *cooking and serving whole foods  *children eating the same food as adults   *choosing new things  *involving the kids in cooking

Comments

[Sophie Blanc]

I absolutely agree! In France its the same and our kids have been brought up on 'adult tastes' like olives, vinaigrette and 'no thank you helpings' when they don't like things.... they love both olives and vinaigrette btw which I think is really unusual but am glad for!

[Gail]

I totally agree! I have never been one to cook food for the kids and food for us .... it's always been a "what's good for us is good for them!" The other night we had cousins around and I put everything out on the table for tortillas.... the kids had a blast making them themselves - and ate way more veges then I had anticipated! That's what happens when you hand over the controls...
In my island family, so much happens around food .... not so much a focus on just eating, but in the gathering together and the preparation together, and the enjoyment of company. It's stuff like that, that I want to bring into our family culture too!
What an excellent post!