I'm a natural parent but...my toddler is a junk food junkie!

Welcome to the second edition of the “I’m a Natural Parent – BUT…” Carnival

This post was written for inclusion in the carnival hosted by The Artful Mama and our feminist {play}school. During this carnival our participants have focused on how mainstream society has affected their natural parenting and how they have come to peace with this.

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I didn’t discover the joys and benefits if natural parenting until halfway through my pregnancy with Henry. So poor Alex got the short end of the stick on that one. He’s been very adaptive switching to healthier and more natural alternatives, for example to cloth diapers. But one thing he refuses to give up is his processed foods.

thoroughly enjoying an ice cream sandwich

I admit, giving in to pregnancy cravings didn’t help. We would stop at Dunkin after work every day on the way home. He can’t read but he can tell a McDonalds sign from a Wendy’s sign. The kid would live on fruit snacks and pop tarts if I’d let him. I know I’m not the only one that is having trouble getting her two year old to eat healthy. I offer him plenty of fruits and veggies first and he’s getting better every day at actually eating them. And I’ve learned a few recipes that are tricking him into eating something tasty and good for him like this one:

Chewy Vegan Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

http://www.food.com/recipe/chewy-vegan-chocolate-chocolate-chip-cookies-99094

In the end I know there will be days where lunch is a PB&J or a Happy Meal because I’m a natural parent not a perfect parent.

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This carnival was created by The Artful Mama and Natural Parents Network. We recognize that “natural parenting” means different things to different families, and we are dedicated to providing a safe place for all families, regardless of where they are in their parenting journeys.

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• I’m a Natural Parent- BUT… – Carrie at Frugal Foodie Mama says “We breastfeed. We co-sleep. We babywear. But we do not cloth diaper. This post is about my reasons why I haven’t, and why I would still like to try it.”
• Am I Really a Natural Parent? – Valerie at Momma in Progress confesses maybe she’s a bit more mainstream than she thought.
• I’m a Crunchy Mama, BUT… – Shannon at GrowingSlower has learned that her food doesn’t grow on grocery store shelves, but she still has a long way to go.
• I’m a Natural Parent, but…my kid loves a screen – Lyndsay owns her son’s love for television programming, ipad and apps.
• Ashamed to Breastfeed – Kym at Our Crazy Corner of the World talks about how she was ashamed and intimidated to breastfeed in public.
• When they gotta go… – Jorje of Momma Jorje shares her EC weakness…
• Love For the Mainstream – Amy W. explains how letting a mainstream family into her life increased her self-awareness, and helps her to maintain balance while advocating for natural parenting.
• Weaning My Nursling – Alisha at Cinnamon&Sassafras reflects on her decision to wean her son, rather than waiting for him to decide.
• I’m a Natural Parent But…My Toddler is a Junk Food Junkie – Chanisa at City Girl Slash Hippie Mom talks about how she’s trying to get her two year old to have healthier eating habits
• I’m a Natural Parent – But…I’m Socially Awkward – Shannon of The Artful Mama talks about the difficulties she experiences maintaining her conviction when she experiences social resistance.
• Holding onto connection when traveling – Lauren at Hobo Mama wants to respect her children rather than demand obedience … but it’s so hard around family.
• What would the neighbours think?! – Teresa at This Savvy Mama talks about the pressures of balancing life skills with the realities of having two young children.
• French Fries and Diaper Blowouts – Arpita hosts a guest post detailing how, just every once in a while, the chaos of running a business can hamper even the most regimented natural parenting plans, and the sometimes messy (and stinky!) consequences!
• Confessions of a mostly natural parent – Jessica of Crunchy Chewy Mama feels good about many of the choices she makes but there are things she wants her kids to do, practice, and believes that she is not modeling for them.

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