Updated: June 17, 2018
Originally Published: April 19, 2017
I consider myself a pretty good mom. My kids are alive and well by the end of the day. Their bellies are full, they’re clean, and they’ve got all their vaccinations. I can’t help but think that my parenting might intimidate other moms, especially since my kids are healthy and avoiding the latest bugs going around. I’m essentially a Supermom—no, scratch that. I’m more like Batmom.
But if I’m being honest, my approach to parenting has definitely relaxed just a bit since the arrival of my second child. I was warned this would happen. Everyone said, “Just wait, Lisa,” but I thought I’d be the exception! Other moms might loosen up with their second kids, but not me! My second child was going to get the same treatment as my first, and that was that. I was determined to document every milestone, ensure she slept through the night, and serve plates overflowing with veggies.
Well, here we are, a year later.
My first child had monthly photos taken in a special chair to track every bit of growth. My second child? She doesn’t even have a chair. The first had a themed birthday party complete with a smash cake and a ton of relatives. The second? She got a Twinkie when grandma stopped by. My first ate homemade baby food—carefully blended to keep the nutrients intact. He was a tiny foodie, enjoying everything from squash to hummus.
And my second child? Let’s just say she’s living on bread and cheese.
Before you start judging, I am trying! We have a million things to do every day, and spending half an hour getting boiled carrots into a toddler’s mouth just isn’t high on my to-do list anymore. It’s not that she’s lacking variety; she enjoys quite a selection… of carbs and dairy. Breakfast consists of raisin toast and mozzarella sticks. Lunch is cheese crackers and juice. Dinner? Pizza, which is Italian, by the way. She may be carb-loading, but she’s got a cultured palate.
I began with the best intentions, armed with my food processor and fresh butternut squash. But then my second child came along and laughed at my plans, opting instead for Cheez-Its. Those mythical babies who munch on steamed broccoli and sliced peppers are the envy of my life. I’d need a veggie-shaped cookie cutter and some cheesy toast to make that happen.
I’ve truly tried. I’ve cooked everything! Shrimp Caesar salad? She just eats the croutons. A full English breakfast? Yep—bread and cheese. I even took her to the pediatrician, fearing my Batmom status was at risk. But when I mentioned my concerns about her vegetable intake, the doctor chuckled and said, “I doubt she’s going to eat that way in college. Just try adding some color to her diet. If it’s still an issue next year, we’ll worry then.”
Just add color to her diet. Simple enough, right? So off I went to the grocery store, determined that today would be the day my second child expanded her palate. I filled the cart with apples, squash, peas, and kale chips. It was time for her to get the first child treatment.
When my husband got home with our older son, the kitchen looked like a cooking show gone wrong. “What’s for dinner?” he asked. “Oh, this is for the baby,” I replied, chopping up another squash. “We need to add more color to her diet.”
I tossed a carrot onto her tray. She grimaced and tossed it aside. A pea? Same reaction. Broccoli? You guessed it: tossed.
Frustrated, I exclaimed, “Why won’t she just eat more colors?” And at that moment, my 3-year-old son walked in with a half-open bag in his hands. “Look, Mommy! Holland loves colorful food!” He flung the colorful snacks onto the high chair tray, and my second child lit up, happily munching away. It may not be conventional, but I’m counting it as a win.
At least we finally got some color into her diet, right?
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In summary, parenting can be messy, especially when it comes to feeding your second child. Sometimes, a few carbs and a smile are all you need to feel like you’re doing a great job.