Always Try Old Things

I learned a great lesson this weekend. On our way home from my hockey game, yes my hockey game, and there is hockey in Florida, we stopped at a sub shop. Now, this was at the bidding of my significant other and I was incredulous as to whether the kids would eat or not. In the past, both kids would shun the submarine sandwich when I stepped into a Subway or Jimmy Johns. Until last night, I had thought the kids disliked sandwiches. We had passed up many a sub shop because of their dislike of bread filled with meat and veggies. I was wrong. Both ordered what they like, an Italian and a meatball.

We brought it all home and they both devoured their dinners. I learned, once again, that even though my kids did not like something in the past, they like it today, and I’m sure that will change as well. Their habits, likes and dislikes, changed with time, which made perfect sense in retrospect, because they are changing no matter how much I don’t want them to grow up. No matter how much I want them to remain my little babes.

Of course they change, I knew it, but forgot and allowed my own personal understanding of them get in the way of their growth. A bold way of looking at their development, one I needed to remind myself of when planning outings and going places. Not one to be shy or housebound, I have ventured out many times to explore, finding a fun and educational destination. And, because of this, I probably missed several opportunities for the kids to try old things again. Not because of their personalities, but because of my preconceived notions.

I remembered reading somewhere, and for the life of me I can’t find it on the shelf, about building self-esteem through encouragement and trying new things. The book focused on eating, and presenting your child vegetables and fruits, even if their first response is to reject them. It went on to explain that parents needed to remember to continue to encourage their children, especially when feeding them, because kids taste buds, their likes and dislikes change almost form day-to-day. I learned this weekend what they didn’t want yesterday, might be what they want today, and to not let myself get in the way.