#COVID Habits. Our Habit & Why I'm Not Super Concerned

Our COVID Habit

Did everyone’s household eating fall apart during COVID last year?  I was working at a primary care doctors office at the time and each day I met with a handful of people sharing a similar story: “We don’t have any rhythm to meals and snacks anymore,” “My kids just eat whenever and whatever they want,” “All I do is eat bread and drink wine,” “I’ve given up on caring about what my family eats, food is the only fun thing we have right now,” and the good ol’… “I’ve gained ___ pounds in the past 6 months!” 

I’d be lying if I said I stuck to my guns and things didn’t go astray in our house.  We had nannies helping out when our daycare closed and I did my best to make sure that meals were made and a list of snack options and snack times were on the fridge.  But, I’m beyond certain that the schedule went astray and we all ate more gummies, graham crackers, and cheddar buddies than I’d like to admit.

In fact, to this day we’re still living this one habit that developed last spring with the approach of “ice cream weather”.  Reed (my three-year-old, but two at that time) was in school Monday, Wednesday, Friday and on the other days he was home with me.  Those days he would wake up from nap refusing the “nutritious” snack I’d planned and insist upon a treat.  Now, as a less stressed and more rested mom, I could have negotiated or simply put my foot down.  But I had a four-month-old at the time who wouldn’t sleep (and didn’t for the first year of life!) and I was #COVID stressed with all the media, schedule changes, navigating going back to work… basically, just an emotional mess.  So… I gave in.  I gave in over and over and over and over again. 

It got to the point where he would wake up from nap, come downstairs, (back up one second… this all would have been solved if he was in a crib – keep your kids in a crib people!!), not say a word to me, and head outside to the garage freezer to take his pick of whatever treat he wanted.  I’m an ice cream gal so there is a constant supply of Yasso bars, ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, mini-ice cream drumsticks, mini-ice cream cups… you get the picture. 

It was weird how this new habit bothered me, yet I supplied it! If our stock ran low,  I could have simply bypassed the ice cream isle in the store, but I didn’t.  The mom in me viewed it as an endearing gift.  Like, “Reed, times are weird and different right now, buddy.  You don’t understand it all, you must be so confused.  Let’s eat ice cream and enjoy the good in life right now!”  Before you judge me for consoling my child with food, Ellyn Satter (family feeding expert) says that normal eating is, “Giving yourself permission to eat sometimes because you are happy, sad, or bored, or just because it feels good.”  Thank you, Ellyn. 

However, the dietitian inside of me was raging.  “You idiot!!! He’s two!! You are missing a prime opportunity to put nutritious food into your child!!! You’re PICKY child!!!”

I guess the mom in me won… because to this day we still have ice cream after nap.  There are some exceptions, though.  If I know a treat is coming at another time that day then I say, “Reed, we are having xyz tonight with friends.  That will be our treat today instead of ice cream right now.”  He’s three, almost four, and so he can understand the concept of waiting.  He’s usually not happy about it, and usually refuses other snacks that are offered, but that’s his choice.  There are also instances when he has ice cream after nap and then another, unforeseen, treat later that evening.  And that’s life, I don’t let it get to me.  I’m just thankful that we have a social life again where we can enjoy food in other’s company!

I’m confident that I serve balanced meals and offer nutritious morning and bedtime snacks.  A little wiggle-room is necessary for all of us!  It helps satisfy desire and even teaches little ones how to navigate these foods later in life. 

If you would like to learn more about how to balance “fun foods” in your child’s (or your) daily eating pattern, please look for a future post all about this topic.  Also feel free to contact me directly.