Healthy Family, Happy Family by Karen Fischer Read Free Book Online Page A

are most interested in. Have you ever noticed how car enthusiasts love talking about cars? On the other hand, talk to them about your paper crane collection or good nutrition (and food pyramids) and watch their eyes glaze over. Even if they are being polite and nodding in agreement, they’ll soon forget what you’ve said about the mind-bending benefits of wholegrains. But your seventeen-year-old revhead son would be blown away if you commented on his rims (never call them alloy wheels). If you ask about their car they may tell you they’rerolling on 20s (the size of their rims ... just nod and try not to look bewildered) or if they say it has a twin turbo V8, just remember to look suitably impressed.
    If you want a person to listen to you, it is polite to firstly be genuinely interested in talking about a topic that interests them. Your child is no exception so let’s pinpoint what excites them. If a young child likes jumping and climbing, they might be interested in talking about animals that jump and climb skilfully, such as frogs, kangaroos and monkeys. Does your child sit for hours at a time drawing pictures and making boats out of milk cartons? Then collect items and help them make something. Do they practically jump out of their skin with excitement when the words ‘swimming’ or ‘pool’ are mentioned? Then talk about the types of foods that swimming stars would eat for energy to swim and win races. Does your child stand at the back door screaming with impatience because they want to ride their bike or play with their truck? Do they hassle you to use the computer at every opportunity? Then learn a bit about how to use the computer so you can show them how to do a fun PowerPoint presentation. My nine-year-old knows more about PowerPoint than me so I thank her for teaching me new tricks.
    Does your child write stories or listen to a particular type of music? Are they crazy about a certain TV program or a broadcast such as motor car racing? Observe your child and then research the subject that excites them. Find out an interesting fact about tennis, or football or dancing. Find a useful website about boats, or bikes or trucks and show it to your child. Watch the TV program they love so you can talk to your child about it. You will have far greater influence over your child if you take the time to learn about their interests. You will have their undivided attention whenever you are conversing about topics that fascinate them. And they will be far more likely to agree to eat a healthy meal if you have just taken the time to talk about the website you found on monster trucks. For example, my daughter loves arts and crafts so I look for creative websites with her and we often find ones where she can design and print out bookmarks and puzzles. Yes, you guessed it: this is a good time to serve celery sticks and dip.
    Love your child
    All children basically want the same thing. They want to feel important and they want to feel loved. One way you can convey love to your child and make them feel significant is by talking to them about their goals and their absolute favourite hobbies. Even if their interests are something you think are irrelevant, such as computer games or cartoons, discussing these topics can help you to bond with your child—and it can make it easier to persuade them to eat healthy foods when combined with must-do tip number 2.
Must-do number 2
    Answer the question ‘What’s in it for me?’ When a company markets a product, any product, this is the first question they aim to answer. They think: what do my customers want and how can I inspire them to buy? People like to be entertained, so ad execs may create a fun TV commercial or use images to suggest their product will make you happier, smarter or more attractive. Marketing fails when you only think in terms of what you want. You want your child to eat healthy foods because they need good nutrition. But this is your wish, not theirs. Ask yourself