Growing up, my parents didn't really stress manners or discipline like a lot of American parents around me do. They didn't make us reiterate every request with "please" and "thank you" or make us call every friend of the family "Auntie So and So."
What was instilled in us, however, was the value of eating well. Meaning - eating everything.
As for myself as a parent, I can't help but feel successful when my girls can't get enough cauliflower or finish all of their pierogies. And I can't help but feel disppointed in myself when they pick at hummus or announce that they don't like beets.
One day last week I picked up the girls from school and their teacher, Ms. Michele, commented that my girls are the only ones in the class that eat everything that is given to them. I could tell she was impressed. And I was pretty damn proud of them myself.
