patandchickens
Crazy Cat Lady
My kids periodically don't like what's for dinner -- in fact the 3 year old is going through a phase of announcing that he hates *whatever's* for dinner.
I never even gave serious consideration to the option of cooking them something different. Not even *setting foot* down that road.
What I have learned is to calmly say "okay, well, it's totally up to you whehter to eat it. Just remember, if you aren't hungry enough to eat a reasonable amount of dinner, you aren't getting anything ELSE to eat later on tonight either, and the next meal being served is breakfast tomorrow".
They have pretty much figured out by now that eating little or no dinner makes them VERY unhappy overnight (which makes *us* kind of unhappy too
but no point in telling the kids that!). I can't remember the last time the 6 yr old didn't eat at least most of his dinner; and the 3 yr old is quickly coming around to that viewpoint too, albeit with more whining during the meal (we just try to ignore it).
I don't really *care* whether they clean their plates, as leftovers just go into soup or out to the chickens, or if its something really yummy I eat it myself for breakfast the next day I figure it is up to them to learn to eat whilst eatin' is offered. They do seem to be.
Mind you, I do try to minimize the number of dinners that I *know* they will hate -- when I make curry-spiced type things at all, I make them very mild and child-friendly and expect they may not eat as much. I have finally figured out that I can make as much of "my" food as I want, for JUST ME AND ME ALONE, to eat at lunch. Much happier now <vbg>
Pat
I never even gave serious consideration to the option of cooking them something different. Not even *setting foot* down that road.
What I have learned is to calmly say "okay, well, it's totally up to you whehter to eat it. Just remember, if you aren't hungry enough to eat a reasonable amount of dinner, you aren't getting anything ELSE to eat later on tonight either, and the next meal being served is breakfast tomorrow".
They have pretty much figured out by now that eating little or no dinner makes them VERY unhappy overnight (which makes *us* kind of unhappy too
but no point in telling the kids that!). I can't remember the last time the 6 yr old didn't eat at least most of his dinner; and the 3 yr old is quickly coming around to that viewpoint too, albeit with more whining during the meal (we just try to ignore it).I don't really *care* whether they clean their plates, as leftovers just go into soup or out to the chickens, or if its something really yummy I eat it myself for breakfast the next day
I figure it is up to them to learn to eat whilst eatin' is offered. They do seem to be.Mind you, I do try to minimize the number of dinners that I *know* they will hate -- when I make curry-spiced type things at all, I make them very mild and child-friendly and expect they may not eat as much. I have finally figured out that I can make as much of "my" food as I want, for JUST ME AND ME ALONE, to eat at lunch. Much happier now <vbg>
Pat
No fair that you all have picky eaters and I do not have one in the bunch!! My problem is fixing enough because they want third helpings!! HELLO!! Their FIRST helping was more than a grown man should eat let alone the second helping!! A typical spaghetti dinner around here consists of 3 pounds of pasta and a half gallon of sauce and there is hardly any leftovers! Then I have to tell them if they want more then go open a can of fruit, which they will, and then they eat the whole can!! Then want dessert!!
Now I'm not sure which is worse 
Trade ya for couple days?
I'll trade you one picky eater for one eat everything child. 
