Every morning in our houseshold there are three containers filled with milk: my son’s sippy cup, my daughter’s cup and my cup that I drink while getting her ready for school. While this might seem like a normal occurrence in most households, the truth is that it is not.
When I was younger I really did not like milk that much. I remember it would take me a while to finish a glass and my mother would always tell me that milk is good for my body and will make me grow stronger. At first I was not convinced. As a child, you always feel that parents tell you certain things just to get you to do it. I would eventually finish my milk and walk with my sisters to school.
I would not say that I completely transformed drinking milk, but it made me feel good and ready for the day. I felt that it gave me the energy I needed for the day.
That is the message I always tell my daughter in the mornings when she gives me the same story that I used to give my mom about not wanting to drink my milk. I tell her that it gives her the energy that she will need for a full day of school. Especially on her long days when she has ballet and gymnastic after school. On those days she needs everything that milk has to offer (9 essential nutrients, including 8 grams of high-quality protein per 8 ounce serving) to have the energy to do her twirls and tumbles.
I, myself, try to be a fit father. I run a few races throughout the year and do some obstacle runs to try to stay fit and healthy for my kids. On the mornings of these runs, I usually make myself a smoothie with milk, some fruit, cocoa powder and spinach.
Now while my family is lucky to have milk everyday, some families and kids are not that lucky. Many kids depend on their school to get the food and milk that they possibly can not get over the summer.
Did you know that there are more than 22 million children that may miss out on milk’s nutrition in the summer months when schools are closed and they lose access to free or reduced-price milk programs?
This is one reason that the Fandads have teamed up with Life of Dad and Milk to help raise money for Feeding America.
Andrew Bennet – @Benspark from Massachusetts aka Red Lion
Creed Anthony – @Acjlist from Indianapolis aka Green Lion
Adam Gertsacov – @Kafclown from Chicago aka Yellow Lion
Chris Lewis – @Dadofdivas from Michigan aka Blue Lion
myself – @Fandads from Chicago aka Black Lion (Hey, it’s my post so I’ll be the main lion)
(Disclosure: I have partnered with Life of Dad and Milk Life for this promotion. I have received compensation for my participation, but no matter how much I begged they would not give me a cow for this piece. All thoughts and opinions are our own and we feel everyone should have milk.)