Do you feel stress or nervous energy creeping in at the thought of an abundance of mishloach manos (read: sugar and treats) available to your kids?
Take a deep breath and read below to promote a healthy balance (both nutritionally and emotionally) so you can skip the stress and experience a more positive and meaningful Purim.
- Relax – do not be overly emotional or calculated. Enjoy and experience the day to the fullest without letting the anxiety of how much sugar your child is eating interfere. Remember what it was like to be a kid (and even and adult!) on Purim, and channel that excitement towards being happy, positive and productive, not anxious and stressed.
- Feed your kids as usual. At least aim for a filling breakfast (let’s be practical). While it is ideal to have a balance of healthy food and treats; understandably, the balance may be tilted towards the treats on Purim, but at least let your kids (and yourself) eat those treats on a well-fed stomach. This promotes an increased enjoyment and satisfaction as opposed to eating quickly out of hunger.
- Give each child their own (gallon) Ziploc bag or container to put their candy and nosh in. Label it with their name and let them know that their stash will be safe in there. This way they can eat some and save the rest without being worried that others will take it.
- Have balanced snacks available to munch on (even if you are skeptical that they will actually get eaten). Ideas include string cheese with a fruit, pretzels with hummus and yogurt with granola. An “in-sight” platter with cut up vegetables and dip is great to have available as well; you may be surprised at how much of that platter disappears throughout the day. Low on time and energy and/or do not want to wash and cut up vegetables? Prepare a platter in no time with: (canned) pickles, baby corn and olives, a bag of baby carrots and a container of shelled edamame.
- Relax and repeat this mantra: “The sooner they eat it, the sooner it’s done.” This may help teach them to pace themselves, and if internalized, it will also help calm you. It’s a win-win – either they slow down or you remind yourself that if your kids eat their nosh quickly, it isn’t so terrible because then it is done and in the past sooner.
Wishing everyone a meaningful, happy, healthy and delicious Purim!
Disclaimer: The information relayed is not meant to be used as Medical Nutrition Therapy or to contradict a medically prescribed diet. Please consult with your physician if you have specific questions regarding your specific health.
On this topic, I just wanted to share a great idea. Each year my grandmother gives the best Mishloach Manos to the children/grandchildren- a big breakfast basket (yogurts, cereals, cheese, rolls, tuna, veggies…) This way the kids -and more importantly, the adults!- have normal, ready-to-eat food that’s easily accessible in the very hectic morning.
(And yes, it’s put together beautifully and there are extra treats in there too- chocolate, choc milk & iced coffee for the adults!)
Have a Happy Purim!!
I love your idea. My oldest is a 19 yr old boy, but I’m definitely keeping this idea in mind for when I have married children iy’h. It’s so smart. Thanks.
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing!
My mom always made us sit down to a “mini seudah” (basically wash, eat a seudah food) before we left the house for the day… After that she stayed out of our eating habits.
SL, another great idea! Thank you for sharing!
Amazing article! Thank you Esti, for the practical advice to help maximize the simcha on Purim for moms and kids!
Thank you so much for your feedback! It is my absolute pleasure! 🙂
In our family we offer the kids the opportunity to sell us their candy. They get to choose so we remind them about this before Purim. Boys especially have gears turning when you start speaking about money…
Baila, great idea! I offer a similar suggestion (to stock up on dollar store prizes to offer as an exchange) in a webinar, and it is definitely appealing to many kids! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
We eat a seudah Purim morning and my mother always made sure everyone eats something normal and becomes fleishig. That way the chocolate at least gets saved for another day… I have babies now, but I hope to incorporate this when they get older iy”H.
I give my kids meshloach manos every year early in the morning. I choose a container to fill with lots of easy breakfast options like mini pitas, squeeze up yogurts, string cheese… They love it! I make it personal with a sweet tag and small two line poem individually for each of them. This helps them start the day with real food and they feel so touched, They wait for it every year!
Shaindy, what a cute idea!! Love it – so beneficial and special in so many ways! Thank you for sharing!!
This is brilliant! Going to try copy this iyh this year. Take with to an early megilah reading before we do the rounds.
Thank you so much, Leah! I really appreciate your kind words, and iy”H it will be helpful! 🙂