Paradise Under Your Feet — Page 50
50 child ’ s limbs acquire a sense of punctuality. He also stressed that the child who learns to perform its natural functions regularly, readily forms the habits of praying and fasting and curbs displays of ill- temper and petulance. Also, he learns not to delay performing his duties. 3. 8 Nutrition and Health Toddler nutrition can present a challenge to mothers as toddler food needs are very different from those of infants. Milk intake usually decreases and nutritious foods have to take their place; in addition, many toddlers become fussy eaters. Although this can be very frustrating, mothers should keep in mind that fussy eating is a normal phase in a toddler ’ s development. It will get better with time and a calm and positive attitude is better for both mother and child. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) provided these guidelines for feeding a child in “ Way of the Seekers ” : A child should be fed at fixed hours. This will breed the habit of self-control and save it from a number of evils. Lack of self- control occasions evils like stealing, etc. Such a child does not learn to resist temptation. The fault lies with the mother who is ever ready to feed the child anytime it cries. Regular food habits will further lead to the following good habits: punctuality, self- control, good health, cooperation (such children will not be egocentric and selfish for they will have learnt to eat with others); frugality (such a child will not suffer from the bad habit of wastefulness and extravagance; it will develop the inner strength to resist temptation). A child should be given a variety of foods. It should have meat, vegetables and fruit, for dietary habits affect morals and a variety of food is necessary for a variety of morals. It should have more