I enjoy cooking, and I really enjoy eating what I cook. While my daughter was a baby, it was easy to carry on with my not entirely healthy diet choices. I breast fed my daughter, and I would rationalize that my body needed that one-half cup of melted cheddar I added to my steamed veggies. When I had stayed up all night, I’d tell myself, some people drink coffee to wake up but I need Coca Cola to pry my eyes open. I work hard carrying my colicky baby everywhere, I told myself, so I deserve a dessert after every meal. I was the queen of denial about my food choices until my baby became a toddler. Oh, I fed my daughter healthily enough. She got a portion of the four food groups at every meal, but she also started to really observe what I put on my plate compared to what was on hers. She started to demand a piece of that double chocolate fudge cake action. I knew if I was to be a nutritionally responsible parent, I would have to make some changes.

I admit that I started small. I thought of the least invasive change I could make and made it. I decided to begin purchasing whole wheat bread, pastas and cookies. I felt proud going through the grocery line with my whole wheat penne pasta. That’s right, I thought to myself, smiling at the cashier as she rang up my noodles; I am a healthy eater. This small change led to other changes, such as making sure I ate a fruit or vegetable at every meal, substituting fruit for cake at dessert time, and getting to know my local restaurant’s salad bar. Little hands reaching for my baked cinnamon apple didn’t make me feel nearly as guilty as when those same little hands were reaching for a fat filled chocolate coconut cookie.

More Ways to Eat Healthily for your Little One:

Avoid fast food take out and make your meals. Baking a frozen, skinless, boneless chicken tenderloin takes less than one half hour.

Snack healthily. Spend one half hour every week and cut up a week’s supply of veggies. Toddlers love to use dip; thinly sliced cucumbers and ranch dip are a favorite of my daughters.

Learn healthy alternatives to satisfy your sweet tooth. There are an abundance of recipes on-line, in cooking magazines or in cook books.

Given the opportunity to either sit in front of a cozy fire with a blanket and a book or to go outside and get some fresh air, I will choose the book scenario every time; however, my darling daughter has reached an age where her favorite thing to do is to play outside. Recently she enticed me to the local playground where the look of joy on her face as she slid down a slide guaranteed that we would be returning to play on the slide again tomorrow. I started to play on the playground equipment with her. She seems to really enjoy seeing her mom pounce around on the wooden platforms that lead to the slides. She will gleefully look up at me and say, “Mommy slide down”. Down I slide. “Again Mommy”, so up I climb to begin the whole process over again. My hips no longer get stuck halfway down the slide, and the ache in my long dormant muscles attests that they are getting some much needed exercise. I also started to walk daily with my daughter in a stroller because I want her to see in me a disciplined example of physical activity. We began attending a Mommy and Me Swimming Hour at our local pool. I have fun teaching her to kick her legs, to float, and to splash. My toddler is teaching me to find joy in exercise again; however, we still find plenty of time for snuggle and story time.

More Ways to Get Active with Your Little One:

Take your child outside every day (weather permitting). Even if the two of you just hop around on a sidewalk or go for a scenic walk, you will be laying the foundation for a love of the outdoors.

Institute your own playground workout. You will be surprised at how delighted your toddler will be to see you climbing about on play equipment.

Walk places with your child in a stroller instead of driving. Your child will love seeing scenery up close rather than watching it whiz by while riding in a car.

My toddler has also taught me that it is o.k. to breach your comfort zones. My nature as a homebody who loves solitude has served me well, and I will naturally share what is comfortable to me to my daughter; however, a child loves to be around other children. Play dates and play groups are great ways to get you and your child out of the house to socialize. I have met some really great parents through these play gatherings . If you are a naturally quiet person, like me, then these situations will also help you to stretch and grow as a person. Children are natural ice breakers. Even if you can think of absolutely nothing else to talk about, everyone can find something to say about their children. Challenge yourself to find ways that breach your comfort zone. Think outside the box, and you will teach your child to be unafraid to try new things. Adventurous spirits have a lot of fun in life, and giving your child one will be a legacy that you can be proud of.

More Ways to Grow With the Help of Your Toddler:

Join a play group in your area. Try to find one with children who are close to your child’s age. You will be surprised at how much fun you will have at your child’s play group.

Go to the library with your toddler. Most libraries have a toddler story hour. This can be a fun way to introduce library services to your child and possibly reintroduce the joys of a library to you.

Start taking a class that caters to toddlers and their parents (Mommy and Me Tumbling, swimming classes, look around for something that peaks your interest). You are never too old or too young to start enjoying a new experience.

I have found that in many cases, what is good for the toddler is good for the parent, as well. Look at the way you arrange your child’s life. Try to model your life (within reason) after the life you have created for your toddler. Take a nap once in a while in the afternoon. Share an apple with your child. Stop and really look at that caterpillar crossing the sidewalk. Look at a new experience through your child’s eyes and really feel the moment’s excitement. You are going to help your toddler grow in countless ways, but your toddler is going to do the same thing for you.