What a Therapist Wishes Every Mom Knew About Parenting Anxiety: The False Sense of Control Behind Oreogate / Ep 206

Two Oreos in a kindergarten lunchbox. That's all it took for one mom to text the whole class asking them to stop packing cookies because her family doesn't eat them, and for the other moms to respond by sending their kids to school with Oreos on purpose. By the end of the saga, every child in that class had Oreos in their lunch except hers. Oreo Gate turned out to be a content creator's invention, but all three of us recognized a version of ourselves in it. In this episode, we're talking about what Oreo Gate gets right about forbidden foods, mom guilt, and the parenting anxiety that can turn a cookie into a verdict on your mothering. Elizabeth owns up to the years she chased perfect nutrition for her kids and the food rules she'd never repeat. Tara knows exactly what it's like to be the kid without the treat, and she's still sorting through good and bad foods at 42. Maria brings the therapist lens, plus a true story from a mall playground that has nothing to do with cookies.  We also get into why mom groups turn on each other so fast, what the school's letter got right, and why packing lunches covers five meals out of twenty-one, along with:  Why the cookie you keep off limits becomes the most interesting food in the classroom What one text to the group chat reveals about a mom's own relationship with food The false sense of control that keeps food anxiety in charge, and what's actually in your hands Why clearing every obstacle for your kid costs them the practice they'll need later How to sit with your child through a small disappointment instead of fixing it How kids build body confidence when food stops being sorted into good or bad Why food neutrality beats diet culture for building a healthy relationship with food You can't control every lunchbox that lands next to your kid's, and this episode makes the case that you don't need to. Let’s rebrand wellness together! Elizabeth, Tara & Maria   Connect with us! The Ultimate Self Care Planner: https://elizabethharrisnutrition.ck.page/9e817ab37e Elizabeth Harris, MS, RDN, LDN Facebook/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ElizabethHarrisNutrition Take the free quiz, What Type of Eater Are You?: https://elizabethharrisnutrition.com/quiz   Join The Nourished Table, Elizabeth's monthly recipe club, for $20 a month: https://elizabethharrisnutrition.com/recipe-club   Tara De Leon, Master Personal Trainer Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tara_de_leon_fitness Join Tara’s Newsletter: www.taradeleonfitness.com/connect If you're in the Annapolis area, follow Everybody Strong Annapolis for studio updates, class openings, and details on the grand opening free workout: https://www.instagram.com/everybodystrongannapolis/ Maria Winters, LCPC, NCC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coaching_therapist/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/MWcoachingtherapy Website: www.thecoachingtherapist.com Episodes Mentioned Want to go deeper on raising kids who have a healthy relationship with food? Go back and listen to Episode 27, Ending the Legacy of Diet Culture: How to Raise Intuitive Eating Kids.    Experience Wellness Rebranded in real life! Join Elizabeth, Maria, and Tara on October 3rd for Inhale, a one-day fall retreat with movement, nature walks, nourishing food, and conversations that go deeper. Reserve your spot here.    If you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit julianabarbati.com and let them know we sent you!