Buttered noodles. That was my thing when the girls were little; I was determined that they not turn into the kind of children who only ate buttered noodles. First world problem, right? I’m embarrassed that it was such an issue for me, but I am just not in favor of my daughters having limited experiences or demonstrating reluctance to try new things. I wanted them to appreciate all of the pleasures that a diverse diet can provide, and so by the time they were ready for solid food, they were eating feta cheese, blueberries, and green olives. They loved all manner of fruits and vegetables, and all manner of flavors and textures. My husband and I felt a sense of self-satisfaction when we would go to restaurants and the people around us would comment on what impressive eaters the girls were. By all accounts, we were raising very curious, inclusive omnivores.
But, guess what? Today, like many children, my girls would take buttered noodles over pretty much anything else you could offer them, any day of the week. It’s not that they don’t like other foods, but they are no longer as willing to try that which is novel. I can appreciate this; I want to respect their right to claim opinions and preferences of their own. However, it’s my responsibility to ensure that they cultivate an open mind, one that enables them to accept and tolerate difference, not just because it allows them to evolve, and not just because it is a way to peace, but because it uncovers complex connections and beauty in our world, whether found in ideas, people, and yes, even new foods.
I have a multitude of memories rooted in moments that have lead me to value diversity, and those moments have, admittedly, been extraordinarily challenging at times. It’s not easy to step outside of our comfort zones and embrace difference, but life is like music. Just as every song has a unique melody, so too does it have the potential for harmony, the notes that give music its texture and mood. Without it, you’re just left with a basic, limited, and very boring tune.
Let’s model for our children what it looks and feels like to approach (and manage) a new experience, because now, more than ever, is the time to ensure that we raise a generation defined by its ability to seek and find the very connections that ensure we live in a vibrant, productive society. We need the engagement of the multitudes. It’s only through inclusion that we will we continue to grow towards our fullest potential.
So, back to the noodles. I’m not going to give up on my girls. I communicate the need for tolerance by continually providing them with the opportunity to try new foods, no matter how much they might initially protest. I ask them to take “No Thank You” bites, explaining that they don’t need to like a food, but that they have to acknowledge that it’s worth trying. It suggests that experiences that are initially distasteful could, in fact, simply require second chances. It teaches that they can endure the unfamiliar, and that they must do their research to develop an informed and compelling opinion. Food is the perfect way to begin to nudge them towards an appreciation of diversity. Why? Because in the end, an open mind is an open mind, no matter what it encounters.