Bad is Not the New Good, Especially When It Comes to Our Kids

You can win a book below... and if you're a preggo with pants that keep falling down, read this (yes, more free stuff!) (and check out the PSA at the bottom of the post!)

I'm fairly health conscious, at least when it comes to my daughter's eating habits. And thankfully, she's a good eater, so long as you don't try to get her to eat raw veggies or weird meats (but really, who likes weird meats anyway).

But, I'm still a obsessive concerned parent, particularly when it comes to forming good habits as she gets older and becomes more opinionated, less like a 2-year-old, and more like an elementary school kid who wants to sit around and watch tv and play video games all day. Thus was the impetus for me to attempt to read "Good Kids, Bad Habits" by Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg.

As I mentioned on the radio show last week, I had sort of given up reading for Lent. Ha. No actually I gave it up since having kids. But I will say that this book was extremely easy to read through, thanks to little quizzes, important point boxes, and charts. LOTS OF HELPFUL CHARTS.

Since I have a toddler, much of the book didn't yet pertain to me -- I don't yet need to worry about her exercise and energy level -- it's more mine that I need to think about. But I did find the sections on eating (a great chart that shows how many servings of what per age), hygiene (she calls it "spiff up" -- cute!), and gear (oh to have had this when I was registering). The information is invaluable and presented in a non-threatening and "I can find it even though I haven't had any sleep for 14 years" type way. Basically, anyone can read it and find something valuable without feeling like a terrible parent.

Since I'm just a bit anti-doctor and vaccinations, I found it to be very heavy on that "make sure they've seen a doctor please please please" -- but I'm used to that and it wasn't a turn off at all. And if I was worried about my child's health and wanted to know ways to make them healthier, this would surely be my pick of book.

If you want to see how healthy (or not) your kids' habits are, take her cool test here. And if you'd like to win a copy of the book, leave me a comment telling me your worst habit when you were a kid! I'll pick a winner at random on Wednesday!

This review was brought to you by Mother-Talk.

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I'll save all my thoughts on this well-discussed topic for the show tonight. Special Guest - author, blogger, and consummate cocktail mommy, Stefanie Wilder Taylor.

Many of you have emailed me to share your thoughts on the topic. I hope you'll grab a beer, glass of wine, or hell, shot o' tequila, and join us.

9-10 pm EST (646) 915-8634

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And if you want a good laugh, read the comments to this post. SERIOUSLY.

Comments

[Kara]

I had horrible eating habits as a kid. I loved to eat and was chubby. I guess I loved Hostess goodies. I don't remember either of these instances, but my mom and uncle love to tell about these events.

First, my mom likes to tell the story of how at a very young age (under five) I wrestled her for a twinkie.

Second, my uncle who is eight years older, used to get annoyed by his young niece. One time I was happily prancing into the living room with one of those marshmallow, coconutty covered snowball cupcakes and seeing his opportunity, he kicked the hassack so it hit me in the shins and I fell flat onto the cupcake. He laughs hysterically everytime he tells that story!

Anyway, I loved to eat . . . everything as a kid.

[Jenn]

Just one worst habit? 'Cause I had quite a few of them. I drank cokes all day long and ate junk food. No exercise either. I'm lucky my arteries aren't clogged by now.

[Plain Jane Mom]

Wow, I missed you being anti-vacc! I guess I live under a rock... Have you posted much on that before, or are you going to soon?

[Heather]

Worst habit? Well, let's see. I don't think I ever ever ever had water to drink (unless I accidentally swallowed while brushing my teeth) until I was in college and realized that surviving on Pepsi wasn't really good for you. This could be why I'm such a stickler for my kids...they only get water and milk. My mom can't believe I think she did me a disservice by giving me sweet tea and pepsi in my bottle. Oh yeah, I was weaned from the bottle before I was a year old. I so wish I was kidding.

[laura]

Oh gosh. My worst habit. I'd have to say it junk food. I used to live on those sour cream and onion crackers, i swear!

[PeppermintDani]

Hello!

First off, thank you for taking time to write your thoughts on Good Kids, Bad Habits. We really appreciate you sharing your feedback!

Secondly, your readers can check out a 'Preview' of "Good Kids, Bad Habits" which includes the Table of Contents and Chapter Two (with Nutrition Charts) by sending me an email at dbaldwin at realageinc dot com.

Thanks again!
-Danielle
Real Age Parenting Center

[jaelithej]

Ditto, Awesome Mom. Only I was sort of saved in high school by a mandatory after-school athletics program. I joined the track team because it seemed like the thing involving the least amount of coordination, and it turned out I was actually pretty good at distance running. Must have been those marathon reading sessions spent on the couch that prepared my mind for it ;)

[Awesome Mom]

My worst habit as a kid was reading waaay too much. I did not get nearly enough exercise instead I spent hours in my room with my nose in a book. I know a lot now but I am also a heck of a lot chubbier than I really should be.

[Much More Than A Mom]

I enjoyed this book too - I'm reviewing it at The Opinionated Parent on Thursday. Since I already have it, don't enter me in your draw, but I had TONS of bad habits as a kid. My fave - using my allowance to buy kool-aid powder and then carrying it around with me in a ziploc bag so I could lick, dip & suck (my finger) throughout the day. Sugar high much?

[JenniferB]

My worst habit when I was a kid was sneaking into my dad's "treats" -- and he didn't even drink alcohol. No, I thought Pepsi and Ho-Ho's were the height of "cool" since Mom only bought them for Dad, and we couldn't even have a Ho-Ho in our lunches. So I would get home from school, she would be busy with younger siblings, and I would go sneak a slurp out of the 2 liter Pepsi in the fridge, and sneak a Ho-Ho, sliding the rest forward in the box, like they wouldn't know how many were supposed to be there. What a geek, I know, but I also was supplimenting my "healthy" diet by buying a package of M&M's every day at school from myself (choir geek too).