Hello December , how did we get here so quickly?
Summer Christmas Camping
I have to confess this is my favourite time of year. I am a Christmas nut, and I am proud of it.
What I am not too fond of is this:
As you know, I am firm believer in empowering our kids to navigate all kinds of food, but how can a I child navigate this. It is given out in a party type atmosphere and parents are left to pick up the pieces.
This young girl's mum sent me these words along with each of the photos of this trove of sugar and additives:
"All kids were already eating their ice block by the time she arrived to collect them and of course she wanted eat the lollies when she got home too. The struggle is real."
Right now we have 43% of Australian kids living with a chronic illness.
Adult onset conditions like diabetes type 2 are now impacting our kids.
A British study has found 1 million kids who 'visually looked healthy', were in fact carrying fat on the inside around their organs. This condition - TOFI (thin on the outside, fat on the inside) is heavily linked to the food ultra processed they eat and their sedentary lifestyle.
Let's just be 100 clear.
There is no 'just one won't hurt' - because it's no longer just one.
There is no moderation - because kids are eating ultra processed foods every day.
As adults responsible for the health of this generation, we need to do better.
We seriously are giving our kids mixed messages about food. School is a place where we educate kids on healthy choices, but at many turns, children are given lollies like this. It just sends mixed messages.
At home we tell them to eat their vegetables yet they have packet food in their lunchbox every day.
Mixed messages about food and health everywhere.
Don't get me wrong, I am a Christmas and Birthday Nut, but I believe there is a time and a place for this kind of food. BUT, I also feel we need to be a little more responsible with how we dish out this kind of food. In Standing for Children's Health, I do not believe the place for this is school.
That's why our Children's Health Program is super powerful. We help schools and parents recognise the role both play in children's health, and what their responsibilities are. We help them realise food can fun without all the sugar and additives.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we were able to empower more children, their families and school communities, so we could start to beat the food manufacturers, marketers and supermarkets at their game?
To take back our power and restore the health of children in this country. To give them the life they rightly deserve - one free from chronic illness.
After 10 years of doing this work, what I can tell you is this:
It's going to take an army of parents, who stop worrying about what people think and say about them, and use their powerful voice to help make change. To be brave and be their child's Kids Health Hero.
If you're already out there speaking up bravely, thank you for Standing for Children's Health and please keep doing it!
It's taken 30 + years of allowing these foods to infiltrate our daily life, and the industry is strong. Behavioural change takes time but we have to just keep going - every.single.day!
If you're still standing back, worrying about what people will think and say about you, worrying about getting a NO from the school or sports club, then you have to accept that you are part of the problem.
I'm sorry, but not sorry!
Nothing changes, if nothing changes.
History shows, repeatedly, that passionate groups of like minded people can affect important change that alters the course of history. Now, I'm going to offer your some 'loving kindness' coaching like what my coach Lisa Carpenter gives to me when I am sitting in fear. (you may also call this coaching having your A kicked - politely of course).
If you're still standing back worrying about what people will think and say about you, what I'm sensing from your behaviour, is that your own fear of judgement is more important than the health of your children and their friends.
Ouch! But think about it. This is true.
So now I am going to call upon you. When you look at your kids, think about what side of history do you want to be on. The side that fought for our children's health, or the side that allowed industry to contribute to its continue to decline.
I'll leave it with you. Remember, if you want help to step up and be brave, you can download my Kids Health Hero Handbook. It's over 60 pages of steps, tips, templates, simple swaps, all designed to help you be Kids Health Hero and Stand for your Children's Health. Name whatever price you want for this book and download it here.