probably stupid question -- how much??

[BDraw]

How do you know how much to allow your children to eat?

Why do I ask such a stupid question?

I have 3 new children, adopted June 1st, been with us for 14 months. And they all have eating issues. I have no clue what thier past was or why they are like they are, but food is a great big comfort. And constantly requested! So much so, it drives me crazy.

So do I allow unlimited amounts of all foods (raw of course)? Do I limit it to 3 big meals a day? Do I feed raw every 2 hours?

The reason I am so concerned is they really could eat non-stop, or so it seems. And the 6 year old is already very pudgy, which I also do not understand, as we do not have sweets and very little grains or cooked foods.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

BD

[VeganVixen]

well first I applaud you for adopting , you are very very open and caring to do so (I wish more people would give it thought) secondly I think kids should eat when they want (not lying in bed and eating ALL DAY ) But I hated it when my parents stuffed food down my throat or didnt let me eat when I WAS hungry - if your kids are getting WHOLE ,UNADULTERED ,especially when given RAW foods - eating too much shouldnt be a big problem - try keeping water dense foods as main options for whenever (less fat dense ) like fruits ,celery ect.... Also a great way to keep kids from hanging in the kitchen and focusing on food all day is to be proactive and play games ,paint -just do stuff ,which in todays society is VERY important(but rare)!


also dont focus on weight (not saying you do ,but my mom did and it was VERY destructive)

[Allison]

I'm a mom of seven children, and this is what I would do...I would let them eat as much raw as they want all day long. I would make the majority of the food fresh fruits and veggies and the smaller portion would be nuts, dried fruits, and dehydrated crackers. But I would definitely allow them as much fresh fruit and vegetables as they want.

[Rawkinlocs]

I agree with Veganvixen and Allison!

I have 4 of them and I just keep fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, dehydrator cookies, etc. on hand and when they get hungry, they eat. Sometimes they'll ask ME to prepare stuff for them such as juice, smoothies, oatmeal because some things just taste better when Mom makes it!

But yes, allow the little ones to eat when they are hungry.

I, too, commend you for adopting!!

[Revvell]

My husband and I met Jinjee and Storm and their children on a retreat and, from what I gathered they pretty much do what has been suggested ~ leave lots of raw fruit and veggies around for them to have anytime they want. If you have a dehydrator, you can make a LOT of crackers for them at little expense (way less expensive and more filling than what you'll get in a bag or box). Guacamole is great on crackers. If you search the childrens' forum here (click on the orange and scroll down) you will find LOTS of information concerning what people here do for their children AND fave childrens' recipes.

BTW ~ How are you doing now with the lil one?

Revvell

[BDraw]

with the little one??? I'm learning not to respond -- thanks for the advice. Though it is not always easy! But, like I said, I'm learning.

I keep thinking if I can get her 100% raw, maybe, just maybe, she'll have a sweeter dispostion. Same goal I have for myself!

I have read Jingee and Storm's e-book. Very interesting. Twice now I've made her mid-morning smoothie for the kids. One loves it, one can't get more than one sip down (infact today lots of it ended up on the floor, carpeted -- loads of fun), the littlest never got her share today, too demanding and refused to say please, so she did without. And my Downs Blessing gags at the sight of it. He definately has his eating problems, mostly associated with low muscle tone in his mouth, though I'm getting many more goodies down him by juicing.

Life's challenges!!

[rawpriestess]

I only had one child (thank Goddess) (and I was cooked at the time)

However, I let him eat whatever, whenever he wanted to. I also let him pick out his own food at the super market. If he wanted something that needed a different ingredient, I made sure I bought it too.

I also taught him how to prepare his own meals as soon as he could stand on a chair near the counter/stove.

If I was to do it all over again, knowing what I do about food/raw etc.

I would ONLY allow raw food in the house, but allow him to eat whatever he chose to anywhere else, and I would have plenty of raw delicious food available whenever he wanted it.

They grow up so fast, and they learn so fast, I think the very best thing you can do for your children, is to remove ALL TV sets, and radios, and to allow them to make a big mess in the house, with paints, and clay, and food and to learn by doing, not watching.

I say remove that carpeting, and let them be kids.

My son loved to paint, so I bought him paints, and taught him how to paint in our bathtub, naked kid, paints and paper in the tub, when he was done, I'd take out the paints the brushes and his masterpiece, and wash him off, voile' no ruined carpets, no ruined clothes, no yelling or screeming with a spilled bottle of paint. EASY.

The same with making food,
naked kids (or if you don't like the natural way, kids in swim clothes) and a chair to see the counter, or a low table, I bought an aluminum camping table that was 1/2 height when it was up only part way, this is perfect kid height. and let them make their own creations.

Teach them how to make jam and peanut/almond butter and flax crackers, let them cut up their own veggies, and all that.

Or they can always eat outside on the picnic table, and then hose the kids off, before they come inside, make a game out of food preparation and eating.

Life is short and your kids will be with you only a shorter time.

Make it fun for them and YOU.

Good luck.

[BDraw]

There that "fun" word is again. Gee, I gotta work on that -- fun. I'm so busy with life, I think I forgot how to do the "fun" thing. Thanks for the ideas, I'll give it some thought and see if I can't make fun out of creating and eating food.

Oh boy, that is asking a lot of me!

BD