By Allison Hersh
For Coastal Parent

Sabrina Manganella Simmons photo
From left, Peter, Claire, Andrew and Janie Brodhead. A third child, Benjamin, is away at college.

Peter and Janie Brodhead have traveled around the world together, but consider parenting to be their greatest adventure. As the long-time owners of Brighter Day, the health food store that anchors the retail corridor along the south end of Forsyth Park, the Brodheads have raised three children using a holistic approach to parenting. The all-natural approach that Brighter Day exemplifies is reflected in the way that the Brodheads have raised Benjamin, 23; Andrew, 18; and Claire, 15.

"In a lot of ways we're pretty unconventional in how we've raised our kids," admits Janie. "Our parenting style is about making choices and realizing consequences."

As young children, Benjamin, Andrew and Claire usually ate healthy, organic food, reflecting their parents' belief that nutrition is inextricably linked to health. The Brodhead children grew up loving sushi, Thai food and other international cuisine that would make most kids cringe. At Halloween, Janie and Peter would "buy back" their young children's candy each year, allowing them to use the money to buy toys instead.

"We're not purists by any means," admits Janie, "but our children are pretty good for the most part. They understand that food is medicine and it can make you sick. They're definitely aware of their bodies."

As the children have gotten older, however, it has become increasingly more difficult to enforce good eating habits. Their daughter Claire, for example, used to take seaweed snacks to school, but these days she prefers school lunches at the Savannah Arts Academy to homemade bag lunches.

"Since the kids have become teenagers," admits Janie, "we've been less than perfect when it comes to nutrition. But at home we always try to offer the best food."

Peter's lessons about homeopathy, natural healing and alternative medicine have made a deep impression on all three children. When Andrew gets bruises while skateboarding, he applies homeopathic arnica to reduce the swelling and speed healing. Benjamin, a senior at the University of Georgia who is currently working at a health food store in Athens, always reaches for Echinacea when he feels a cold coming on. Claire, who is prone to migraine headaches, has been visiting a local acupuncturist since the age of 12.



The Brodhead children have spent plenty of time at Brighter Day, quite literally growing up before the eyes of longtime customers. As babies, they were toted around in slings, but today they work behind the counter to earn extra money.

Brighter Day has served as a central focus of the Brodheads' lives over the past 25 years, offering a sense of community for their growing children. "The store has provided a sense of family," says Janie. "We have so many great customers and all these people have watched our children grow up and really celebrate them. That's been a real gift for them to have that huge sense of belonging."

Although running Brighter Day - like any family-owned business - can be quite demanding at times, Peter and Janie have never forgotten the importance of family. "We've always put our children first," says Janie.

In fact, Peter enjoys having a flexible schedule that has allowed him to spend plenty of time with his children over the years, building a rock-climbing wall, going on hiking trips or just sharing his record collection with his children.

"I've tried to be really with them and be involved," he says. "I love sharing experiences together. I'm not an authoritative-type person. It's been more about being there and knowing that I deeply care for them."

Janie is proud of the fact that her children share a strong sense of social justice and have a deep awareness of political and environmental issues. She admits that she has never wanted to be her children's "buddy," but that she enjoys being "on the sidelines," cheering her children on, whether they are acting in local theatrical productions or competing in area equestrian events.

"I believe in our kids and I believe in their potential," she says. Peter and Janie, who recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, agree that raising teenagers can be challenging. As children spread their wings, parents must inevitably allow their children to test their new sense of independence. And that can be quite bittersweet, Janie admits.

"Nobody prepares you for the letting-go part," she says. "The nurturing and raising is the easy part. I think the hard part is letting them face consequences. But you really have to let them go and hope that they make wise decisions."

For Peter, serving as a role model to his children has been important over the years. "You want to guide by example," he says. "I've always felt that it is very important not to have a double standard."

The couple believes strongly in exposing their children to other cultures outside of the United States and have taken them on family vacations to Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and England.

When Peter and Janie opened Brighter Day in October 1978, they were idealistic young college graduates with a dream of opening a health food store. Today, they are successful business owners who contribute to the quality of life in downtown Savannah. All the success in the world, however, pales compared to the pride they feel in raising three happy, healthy children.

"Our children are our greatest accomplishment," says Janie. "I can't imagine life without them."