Family Meeting

We had a family meeting one night last week to tell the kids about our plan to get healthy as a family. Family meetings are a regular thing in our house when we want to share news, celebrate success, go over house rules or discuss a violation in the house rules. Most recently, the family meetings have focused on the latter. So, when we called for a family meeting, they immediately responded, “what did we do now”?

When we told them we were going to do the Arbonne 30 days to healthy living program we were met with blank stares and crickets. I emphasized that “We” included the two of them and that there were certain things we were going to eliminate from our diet for 30 days. For instance - grilled cheese.

“How many days can you go without eating before you die?”, Micah asked with dramatic flair. You see, Micah’s three main food groups are grilled cheese, chips, and cheese crackers. “Can I have pretzels?”, he asked. I told him I would ask. (note to self: find gluten, dairy, and soy free pretzels) (additional note to self: tell Micah - at the right moment - that he will not be allowed to eat ONLY pretzels for 30 days)

Noah is a picky eater too, but not to the same extent as Micah. Noah listened quietly (he took his ADHD medication that day) to the pitch and said, “I’ll do it. But I’m not eating tomatoes, onions, or fish.” I knew he did not like tomatoes and onions but inquired as to why no fish. I then listened to a 15 minute monologue about the environment and all of the trash and pollutants in the water and how the fish eat the trash and pollutants and how it takes so many years for plastic to break down and how when the fish are caught and then we eat the fish with all of the pollutants and then we have all of the trash and pollutants in our bodies and how he just really does not like fish. (note to self: do fish research)

Both of the boys were consoled by the idea of chocolate and vanilla protein shakes. But, when Noah heard that cow’s milk was off the table, he rushed over to the fridge and poured himself a HUGE glass of milk. We went through three gallons of milk over the next few days. I had to remind him that we were not cutting out milk for another week or else he would have blown the weekly grocery budget in the dairy aisle!

I think it was smart to prepare for this change a week or so in advance because it has given them a chance to ask questions and voice their fears and doubts. They are even starting to add humor, which is usually a sign of acceptance in our family. (see below)