Some parenting hacks may horrify other people but the truth it, it may be their only way of surviving the challenges in their lives.
My kids love fast-food fried chicken. I can see their eyes lighting up whenever they realize that there is crispy fast-food fried chicken and gravy on their plate.
Fast-food Fried Chicken, Gadgets, & Other Horrifying Parenting Hacks
That’s not all, they also love to use their tablets whenever they eat their fast-food meals and I’m happy that they’re contented. I know, I know – a lot of other parents (the picture-perfect Pinterest ones) will raise their eyebrows when they read this. But you know what, I don’t care what other people will say anymore with the way I raise my kids.
As long as they’re not getting sick and behaving badly, I’d give myself a pat on the back for a job well done. I’m not aiming for perfection; I’m just being realistic. And for all I know, those ideal parents are green with envy because they can only give their kids a monotonous (read: boring) life. Just kidding! I don't want to judge them for their own choices. Haha!
You see, when I learned that I was to become a dad, I’d always imagine a picture of perfection in my head. I’ll whip up the healthiest meals for my kids and feed them a balanced diet. I’d also be the most patient dad around, the one who doesn’t raise his voice even if he lost his temper. Heck, I was none of those. I get mad, I shout, and I even curse sometimes (yes, I’m working hard on this!).
To be fair with myself though, things didn’t really crumble in an instant, so to speak.
We used to make healthy meals for Miguel when we began eating solid food. We’d make him vegetables and chicken with rice. However, when he turned two years old, he began to dislike vegetables and boiled chicken.
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| Fast-food fried chicken |
That was when he discovered the goodness of fried chicken when we had him try it one day. And then that’s all he wanted to eat – marinated fried chicken, breaded fried chicken, fried chicken flakes, and fast-food fried chicken – as long as they are extra crunchy. It was hard (impossible!) to convince him to try to eat other types of food, which we understood later on because of his Global Developmental Delay (GDD).
Nowadays, his diet has varied a bit to include fried pork chop, corned beef, and the occasional fried fish. The only vegetables that he would eat are the minced carrots, sayote, and celery that we manage to hide in ground pork (think of lumpiang shanghai filling). He likes it loose though and not formed into meatballs. And it should be toasted! He also loves bananas so it’s reassuring to know that he has one healthy food item that he willingly consumes.
My younger son Rafa is easier to feed. He’s not too picky like his Kuya. He loves anything with broth like sinigang, nilaga, and tinola. He eats fish, fried chicken, meat, vegetables, fruits, and so on. Feeding has never been a problem with Rafa.
We don’t post about what our children eat on social media. Not because we’re afraid of being judged but we just don’t feel like it. However, when parents do post about their decision to allow their kids to eat “unhealthy” or “junk” food, I do hope that they won’t need to be apologetic about it or to explain themselves. We have our own problems to deal with and Let’s not judge them, too, because we don’t know what they’re going through for having made such choices.
We give our kids cookies, chips, candies, and cakes and we’re happy that they enjoy eating all those goodies. They sit still and they quit being rascals even for just a brief moment. Just the same, we don’t give it to them all the time. We strive for balance which for us is the more realistic approach.
I think another topic that’s related to food and equally controversial is breastfeeding. We used to be the types of parents who vowed to exclusively breastfeed our children. We wanted our kids to be healthy, yes, BUT we also didn’t want to be judged. Guess what, it didn’t happen.
We mixed fed Miguel when he turned three months old because Mommy Khris’ milk supply wouldn’t improve no matter what she did or whatever supplement she took. We forced it even if her milk supply were just a bit more than droplets but we regretted it because Miguel was always hungry. He was underweight and just looked pitiful overall. It was such a relief when we gave him formula. So again, don’t be so quick to judge those who bottle-feed their children.
With Rafa though, Mommy Khris’ milk supply became miraculously abundant so she is able to breastfeed him until now that he is over two years old. We also give him formula but he still drinks breastmilk.
To end this post, all I wanted to say is let’s end the quest for the perfect parent because they don’t exist. Let’s also not be too quick to judge other parents because we don’t know the circumstances that they are in.
We may think that other people are being bad parents because of their horrifying parenting hacks. Instead of doing that, it’s better to remind ourselves it might be the only way for them to survive. As long as they are raising good kids, then they are also being great parents.
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Wow! This fast food chicken looks absolutely delicious. The texture makes it so enticing and tempting! Great hacks for parenting which is always on the go or busy!
ReplyDeleteWe are all good parents and we can only do our very best.
ReplyDeleteI am trying my best to educate my kids about healthy eating without forcing it upon them. It is a journey...
ReplyDeleteCan I just say, this chicken made my mouth water the entire time I was reading!
ReplyDeleteI have been lucky with my children and they pretty much will eat anything. We have a fried chicken place down our road and they also love it and I think it is fine every now and then
ReplyDeleteI agree about balance. It is all about finding the right balance in life. Have to live life a bit! I think we all need to figure out what works for ourselves, and not for others.
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids yet but these are great tips. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have four children. The first three were great about eating most anything that was good for them. The youngest though, is so so so so so picky. People in the family say he will outgrow it, but he's a teenager now and still as picky as he ever was... and he loves food, just only certain foods.
ReplyDeleteParenting is tough! I believe that as long as a child is loved and cared for then each to their own!!!
ReplyDeleteI like reading parenting hacks. By the way, you're making me hungry with these fried chickens!
ReplyDeleteWhat great meaning in this post. We really should be less judging on other people and the decisions they make in their lives.
ReplyDelete