"I think you've had enough"

I don't know about you, but the Spring sun has me feeling extra hopeful and wanting to spend more time outside. Our family loves to play pick-up soccer games so last weekend we headed to one of the local schools to kick the ball around. 

While the match was heating up on the field, our one year old was wanting to explore off the field. As she tottered around on the sidelines I overheard another family talking. 

A grandma who was (I assume) with her daughter and two granddaughters were in our daughter's wander zone. All four ladies enjoying the warm breeze with smiles on their faces. I noticed the youngest girl was off to the side enjoying a snack while her mom and sister kicked a soccer ball around. 

Suddenly, grandma turned to this sweet girl who was quietly enjoying her snack and half shouted, "What are you doing over there? I think you've had enough! Come back over here and sit with me." 

This little girl's body posture literally sank. She walked over to Grandma who put her in her lap. I scooped up our daughter after literally skipping a breath and a heart beat after hearing that comment.

Why? 

This girl and THOUSANDS of other girls all around the world are being told in no uncertain terms a message that's loud and clear. {Insert shouty caps} 

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR YOUR BODY, BUT I DO. 
YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR BODY'S OWN HUNGER CUES. 
YOU SHOULDN'T TRUST YOURSELF, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU MIGHT GAIN WEIGHT and THAT WOULD BE BAD. 

This grandma and many other caregivers aren't necessarily concerned with making sure kids get enough food (which is where their energy would be best placed), but they worry that their child is getting too much. Now I get that as parents, we can absolutely be in charge of when our kids have meals and snacks. BUT, and this is a big but, once we allow our child to have food for a meal or snack, it's up to THEM to decide how much. How can we possibly know our child's satiation level? Children's little bodies are constantly growing and we can't know what cues their body is giving them in order to thrive. 

I just read a statistic this week that people who menstruate will gain between 15 and 40 pounds in preparation of menses. Unless we're letting our kids know that this is completely normal and natural, they may begin practicing restrictive eating behaviors which can lead to eating disorders. We're not in complete control of our bodies and once we can truly accept that, we can give our kids the assurance they need while their bodies change. 

How many times has someone told you, I think you've had enough?  It's not ok for other people to tell you when you feel physically or emotionally satisfied. That's your job alone. 

Only you know your body best and only your child knows their body best. Learning to trust and care for ourselves is one of the most important lessons we can teach our child. This week, I hope you can encourage your child to develop this relationship now because the benefits of this solid relationship will last them a lifetime. 

I'm still feeling extra hopeful this Spring, so let's all commit to planting these right messages around food and body like Spring seeds so that our children's tomorrows will undoubtedly be brighter. 

xoxo,