Every parent thinks about it (or tries not to):  Will what I say and do as a parent help my children become healthy and happy adults?  

We caught this Today Show ”Parenting & Family” segment (January 16, 2008) on how parenting style may affect weight in children and think it is worth sharing: 

Parents: Are you making your kids fat?
Dr. Gail Saltz (Today Contributor) and
Lisa Drayer (Health Magazine)

The video/article posits that that “permissive” parenting (”My child/parent is my best friend” mentality) is correlated with childhood obesity.  And, Saltz suggests that you are more likely to raise healthy children if you set limits at the same time you affirm your love and encourage them to learn to make good choices.   

Easier said than done, I’m sure, especially when you are juggling home, family and work responsibilities all in a single on-the-spot-moment of parenting.  I tend to agree with Saltz though I wish they would invent a magical “groan blocking” adult implant to make it all a little easier. 

One thing that comes to mind as this relates to Let’s Dish! and dinnertime is the modern phenomenon of feeding your children a different dinner than you prepare for yourself (and your partner).  In my mind, this does lower expectations for your children.  We all know the “one bite” rule.  Some parents (including me) take it even farther to say “This is your dinner. If you don’t eat it, you’ll sure be hungry.”  Or worse, ugh, “You’ll eat it again for breakfast”!  There is an extreme to “tough love” but all of these stances reinforce one message: adults control food and dinnertime in this house, not children.

So, what happens in my home?  Well, growing up, my mother never prepared a different meal for my sister and me.  We ate the same meals together (and enjoyed them, in case Mom is reading!).  I adhere to that same philosophy now that I am a parent.  My girls eat what Rick and I eat - and that is usually a Let’s Dish! meal.  I will admit that it is a little easier for me because they were 2- and 1-year olds when we opened, so all they’ve ever known are meals that cook with a label!  But, I am proud that, as parents, Rick and I have set the expectation that all foods are worth trying - and our daughters are open to and enjoy many healthy and nutritious foods.  There’s nothing better than having your 3-year old ask for “shwimp” (shrimp) and “bwoccowi” (broccoli) instead of a happy meal.

Our dishers often tell us that they were surprised that their “picky eaters” tried and loved Let’s Dish! meals (that they never thought they’d eat - they tend to politely leave out).  That is no accident.  When Lisa, Erik, Rick and I began our business here in the mid-Atlantic, we set some core values - one of which was that our menu would be family friendly but never “kid only.” 

Lisa and the menu development team have maintained that standard in the three plus years since we opened.  Some meals are what we call “A Sure Bet For Kids” - family friendly for all ages.  Some dishes will encourage you to expand your family’s palette.  And, for all, you can customize to your tastes as you “dish” the meals - or make some choices as to how you prepare them at home. (I confess I defer to Lisa on that one because her kids are older - I haven’t mastered her serving techniques for kids 6 to 12!). 

I hope you’ll watch the video and read the accompanying article.  We’d love to hear your perpective. Any comment is welcome!