Meni, as her 4 year old sister calls her, has taught me so many things in the
almost 7 years we’ve been together as a match via Big Brothers Big Sisters.
We met when Meni was in the 3rd grade and she is now gearing up to start high school.
My, time truly does fly!
Meni’s little sister, Irene, was born 2 years after we met and
Meni was so excited to become a big sister,
“Just like you are to me,” she sweetly shared,
as only a pure- of- heart 10 year old can.
Through the years, we’ve discussed topics from books,
school, games, sports, heroes,teachers, friends, bullies,
boys, make-up, dances, tv shows, movies, food, health, role models.
The list is endless and we’ve had our share of misunderstandings,
problem solving and resolutions.
We’ve taught and learned from each other and
as I watch Meni enter into an exiting new chapter of her
teen age-high school years, I’ve witnessed some incredible changes
and life lessons she’s relayed to me via her little sister, now in pre-school.
“You’ll be my best friend if you are:
– nice
– smart
– funny (or at least make me laugh)
– watch Sponge Bob and dance with me<
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– let me draw on you or at least, let me glue my drawings on any surface I am able to reach
– nothing’s so horrible that big sparkly sunglasses and a little tutu can’t make better
– peanut butter is ALWAYS yummy
– Imagination is the best playground. I like what I like, so there, and I like me!
and this one, I especially love:
– I want to taste whatever it is you’re eating
(Pay special attention to this, readers. I’ve witnessed this first hand.
Our little ones learn by watching what we put into our mouths.)
Remember the saying many of our parents taught us.
“Do as I say NOT as I do.”
Well, that’s proof in the pudding
(chia pudding for those who read my previous blog, Too much chi chia…)
We form our palates and tastes for certain foods at an early age
and if we are seen eating and enjoying healthier choices,
there is a greater chance we will positively influence our little ones to do the same.
What’s the worst that can happen if they don’t like it? They’ll spit it out.
A little spit never hurt anyone. Did it?
An interesting moment occurred over the weekend when
Meni and I had a sleep over.
After we made dinner, I offered Meni a bowl of ice cream and
I stirred Greek Yogurt, Unsalted Organic Peanut Butter and some apple slices for me.
She asked what was in my bowl. I told her she probably wouldn’t like it and she asked to taste.
To my surprise, she loved it and wanted that for her dessert INSTEAD of ice cream.
Lesson learned!
Growing up, my Mom always made my sister and I try new foods.
She would say,”If you don’t like it, you don’t have to finish it, but,
at least, give it a taste.”
And guess what? My sister and I developed an incredibly vast/sophisticated palate.
The morsel of this Morselist’s Tale? We can all learn from Pre-Schoolers, 8th Graders, 30th Graders…
Be open, pay attention, walk your walk, dance your dance, or better, dance with Sponge Bob,,
eat your morsels and remember, sunglasses and tutu’s can absolutely make your days much sparklier!!
So many reasons why I loved teaching and being around preschool kidlets, but a couple in particular: their zeal for living/learning and their unvarnished truth.
I enjoyed reading this post–thanks!
So great! Kids always tell you the truth!
The ice cream/non-dessert choice struck me the most. I have seen children select crudite because that what they were taught to select.
I always set out a bit of a nosh after I hold piano recitals, and last year I decided to include ice cream. To my surprise, all of my students – and their parents – went for the fruit instead!
Lesson learned.
Too cute!! Excellent post and fun read Mo!!
THAT IS SO TRUE! Kids do follow by example; and if you are enjoying eating something, chances are they’d like to try it to. Worked with broccoli, asparagus, quinoa, hummus, salmon (unfortunately they’d eat my whole portion if I let them)… and so many foods I eat – even Falafels!. That’s probably why they ask for fruit and do eat most of their veggies and have quite an advanced palate for their (just under) 3 years. No “Kids Meals” here – they get what we get! : )
Maura, I love this post, your writing style and the fact that you are a ‘big sis’.
Love it!! You have a beautiful writing style. I love how relate-able you are to both parents and kids…speaking both languages effortlessly. Thanks for the great insight.
Great read, you healthy, red-headed morselist!!!!!
It drives me crazy when I hear parents say “oh, my child will never eat that” about a healthy choice – and they say it right in front of the child. Well OF COURSE the child won’t try it after you say that!!
And I had to laugh at Reece’s comment – my husband will often say “I don’t like that” when he’s never tried it! I don’t let that stop me though! 🙂 Now he actually picks the brussel sprouts off my plate!
Great blog. Regarding the food comment above, it makes me crazy when I hear adults say, “I don’t like that,” when they haven’t even tried it. We do get used to the same foods and a lot of us are guilty of falling into a rut with the same things over and over. My partner doesn’t like change with his food, so it is a challenge sneaking new things in, but I do it – I just don’t tell him!! I wish I had parents (or a big brother) to show me there were other things to eat when I was growing up. I always knew that Monday was meatloaf, tuesday was spaghetti, etc… Greek Yogurt, peanut butter and apples . . . hummmmm???
Hi, Maura. Nice blog, excellent post!
“Children will look to you for which way to turn, to learn what to be.”
Great article Maura, and so true!