Does anyone else out there have this problem at dinner time, or am I the lone buffet operator who somehow has gotten myself trapped into making multiple meals for my family? I know it started when our oldest was just a tiny guy. He has always been picky, and as a first time mom, I was so afraid that he would wither away and fall off the growth chart. So I would offer something else. No, that was yucky too. Here's another thing. No, not that. And another. And finally, a bowl of cereal. Just something so my child would not starve to death in his bed at night or have his growth stunted. Well now, with three kids, it seems that the smorgasbord at dinner time is a nightly occurrence.
Case in point: tonight we (the adults) ate grilled chicken salads. Eric ate deli ham, whole wheat noodles with margarine, and dill pickle spears. Anna had a piece of deli turkey, a piece of wheat bread, the same noodles and sweet pickles. Caleb had leftover macaroni and cheese, a few bites of chicken, the same whole wheat noodles, and three bites of yogurt. Just assembling these plates is driving me crazy! Note the lack of veggies on the kids' plates. Not because we don't offer them. I'm just tired of using the Dustbuster on the dried up corn and green beans that get dropped under the table. Raw carrots are at least acceptable to Eric. Anna will eat a shred of lettuce with ranch dressing on it. Caleb has been know to eat corn. But that's as far as our veggie adventurers will reach.
My husband and I like to eat fairly healthy foods, like salmon, grilled chicken salads, lots of different veggies. Nearly every time I consider what I would like to have for dinner, I realize my kids would NEVER eat it. So I make our food, and theirs. What would happen if I made one meal? MUCH whining, protesting, crying, fits of anger, and pouting beyond belief. But maybe they'd get over it sooner than I think. If they got hungry enough, they'd eat my blue plate special for the night and be happy. And my Dustbuster would be sadly empty. Something to ponder.
My gratitude for the day? Not only does my Dustbuster pick up all those veggies, it picks up dirt from potted plants that have been dumped, cat food that has been spilled, crayons wrappers that have been meticulously peeled off a whole box of crayons, and today, it even sucked up the vanilla wafers that were crunched up inside the Princess CD player. I LOVE my Dustbuster!
Friday, March 14, 2008
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3 comments:
Oh, Chachi....I have the same problem, but it is not my children, it is my father-in-law. He does not particularly care for the healthy fare that I offer. I used to make different food for him, and then I said forget this, he can gather his own food if he chooses not to eat what I serve. Anyways, my son, Aydan, is very picky. He claims to be a vegetarian, except for sausage(I know the "bottom feeder" of meat!). I thought about making different food for him at one time, and decided against it because of a mutual friend (Sherry Musser Christie). Her mom used to do this when she was a child. She never learned to eat more than a few select foods, and to this day has done the same for her children. To the extent, that her 2nd grade son has to bring his own banana and bread if they ever go out to eat, because he will eat nothing on the menus! I did not want my family to end up this way. I was also told that by my pediatrician that a. Children need lots of variety offered all the time because their taste pallette is developing and may dislike something one day and taste it another day and find it amazing. b. Children will not starve to death! They will eat what is offered, if they know that mom/dad is not giving in. (AYdan has gone to bed a few nights without dinner--but NOT many--he knows we are not handing out after dinner "treats" unless dinner was eaten. c. yes, some nights have been less than pleasant dinner events, but it is worth the trouble to me because I want my children to be able to function at other homes, restaurants, church events, etc. without whining or complaining to the host/hostess "I don't like that" and d. all persons taste buds change every 5-7 years, which is why we should continue to offer what our children say they don't like, one day they might! (adults can follow the same policy--I now drink and eat some things I never would have touched a few years ago)
Ok, you probably did not want a dissertation--but this something that has been of great importance and interest to me, so I thought I would give you a bit of my struggles. ONE FINAL COOL TIP: I learned from a friend that whatever is served for dinner should at least be tried by everyone. Unless, your kid horribly gags on that taste (showing a sincere distaste), they should have to eat their age in bites. Thus, even if they don't love what I am offering for dinner--AYdan eats 9 bites of everything, and Karis eats 5. It has worked beautifully for us and stopped alot of tension at the table--because they just know that is the way it is. GOOD LUCK!
Give me about three more years and I may have some advice for you.
Only one tip. Well, make that two. First, you are the parent, and you decide what gets served. After a few tantrums, they will begin to get the idea. Second, if there is any little contribution they are able to make to help prepare the dinner, kids will eat what they have helped make, even if they usually wouldn't. I know they are little, but there are some things they can do. Give them a choice of 2 or three items to add to a salad, for instance. Don't give them any choice that you don't want them to take, but let them have the illusion that they "chose" what they are eating. So what if you have raisins in the salad, that's better than not eating salad!
Good luck. Other than those tips, just try not to stress about it, they won't starve.
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