KIDS

YuliyaShadyrya wrote: »

Just wanted to clarify something : I do serve kids what I eat! ;)thanks for all the advice!

Dish them less. I have been making that mistake at work, I'm a nanny not a mom so I don't get all the stress but I do understand most of it. I used to give them all that I thought they could eat but now I give them about half that amount. There is just no knowing how much they will eat any given day or meal!

Another tip is to get exercise with them, we do lunges together (okay, I do lunges and they do adorable little duck waddled trying to copy me), they help me count my push-ups, and the other day I used each one to do a couple "bench presses" haha.

I get stressed and overwhelmed at work often and when the going gets real tough I load up the stroller and we go. Even if it's just around the block, the change of scenery is great for all of us and sort of resets the mood of all involved. Is that an option?

Also, dance parties. Sometimes it's their music, but often times its my upbeat dancing mix that helps me reset my own stress and mood. Gets us all silly and it's smoother sailing from there.

Just don't eat it.

Make less, or put less on their plates. Save leftovers for the next day rather than consuming them because you "have" to. Regarding the stress, 60 seconds of deep breathing can be hugely therapeutic.

I've got a 5 and 6 year old, a full time job, and grad school. I get it, but it's also 100% doable. You just have to make yourself a priority, rather than putting yourself tenth on your list of important things.

I used to have the same issue, I have 3 kids twins who are 5 and an 18 month old. I think I basically gained weight eating what the kids didn't finish- because let's face it I rarely say down to eat a meal, but also stress eating. I now have a rule I only eat sitting down, and excessively chew my food.
For me what works is cooking one dinner a day, but catering to both kid friendly and my diet friendly meals. To accomplish this I have stocked my freezer with things from M&M meats that are both healthy for me (like a marinated piece of salmon for 150 cals that I can put with a salad) or kid friendly options (think chicken fingers, lasagna). Sometimes if I'm making a salad for myself I double the recipe and stock up for a later date and that is also huge help. I tried eating what kids eat but just smaller amounts and found myself still hungry because of limited portion.
My kids are also getting more adventurous as they see me eating different. Stir fry has become a family staple. They are branching out!
As for the stress eating, I mean we all do it but if you are all I say is log ANYTHING you put in your mouth.

I've got lots and lots of kids, mostly older now (youngest is 9). I can't eat when stressed, so different from you in that way, but:

We were generally unscheduled, but organized mealtimes. Everyone sits down and eats, together.
Snacks are allowed for kids, pretty much unrestricted, if they do the work and cleanup themselves.
I don't buy much junk food at all. A big box of kashi bars, kind bars, sometimes chips or crackers but there just isn't a lot of unhealthy snackage available. So to get food, in general, one has to prepare food.
When funds allow, I put big bowls of fruit out.


If you aren't working, wow, take walks to the park, go to the beach, do active things. Babies are portable, and little kids love to run around.

If you are working, then (like me) you may have to get up early if you want time to work out. I go out for a run at 0530. Not because it's my preference, but because nobody needs me that early.