By Vega Schools‘
Holidays are always a bonding time for the family. Children and parents often look forward to spending those memorable holidays with uninterrupted fun, away from the daily routine of school and work.
Here comes a catch – vacations break the school routine. They pose a risk of unsettling the children and breaking a routine which takes a long time to set in. It sometimes gets tough for the kids to get back to the old routine of good food and school.
Especially for all working parents, remember your child is on vacation and not you. You do not want to take leave to deal with his/her health issues. The secret mantra here is ‘Freedom within structure’. Having a routine is more important than following an old routine.
The mealtime is a mealtime Holidays are always a bonding time for the family. Children and parents often look forward to spending those memorable holidays with uninterrupted fun, away from the daily routine of school and work.
Here comes a catch – vacations break the school routine. They pose a risk of unsettling the children and breaking a routine which takes a long time to set in. It sometimes gets tough for the kids to get back to the old routine of good food and school.
Especially for all working parents, remember your child is on vacation and not you. You do not want to take leave to deal with his/her health issues. The secret mantra here is ‘Freedom within structure’. Having a routine is more important than following an old routine.
You will often notice that when on a holiday kids wake up earlier than we would want them to. This is because of excitement, change of plan and the relaxed company of parents. Do plan to have breakfast together . Make it exciting with dishes that your child looks forward to eating. Try and finish dinner around nine. Use late evenings for bonding and for possibly exploring new recipes for the next day.
Traveling
Kids in Nursery school, Kindergarten and in smaller grades like newness and love exploring . Explore the cuisine of the places you travel and look for healthy combinations of ingredients . Discuss how attractive the serving is and how creatively the veggies have been included.
Stock healthy food
When at home on vacation, all of us feel like munching, having healthy options available within your child’s reach. The principle of proximity applies to children in the same way it applies to us – we are more likely to eat what is visible and within reach. It is equally important to have a conversation with your kid about where, what and why of the snacks at home. The conversation should always be centered around the child and her needs.
Cooking partners
Vacation is the best time to explore cooking together. It fosters bonding between you and your child and encourages creativity .Kids are quick to give ideas to make healthy food look interesting. Innovate and customize the recipe to your child’s taste and watch the fun!
Present the food well
Kids love it when the food is presented in an interesting manner. A simple bread, butter, egg or a pancake can be made intresting . Serve like a chef and see the excitement in your child to finish the food.
Go grilled
Next time you take out your child for dinner, opt for grilled veggies or chicken or fish, enjoy the taste and talk about how good it is in cutting down those extra calories. Try it at home too.
