Wasn't sure how to word this post....what I am wondering is how many of you make something for supper and if your kids don't like it, that is their only choice and then they just don't eat? Or do you allow your kids to pick something else (such as a pb&j) sandwhich or something quick like that? I know there will be varying opinions on this one. I struggle with this on a daily basis as my oldest 2 are so picky. My youngest (age 2) will eat most anything so she isn't a problem. My oldest two complain everytime I put something on the table for supper if is isn't pizza, tacos, spaghetti or pancakes. I get so tired and frustrated. I try so hard to make something good and healthy for us and then I am met with that many nights. I have a friend who will allow a peanut butter sandwhich as the only other choice for her kids if they don't want the meal she fixes. I really was fine with that but then my 2 yr old will cry for the sandwhich even if she likes and was eating what I made in the first place!
I struggle with this because I grew up a vegetarian. I chose on my own at age 4 my parents tell me. I have never liked meat or wanted to eat it and my parents never forced me to. I know as an adult I don't want to be made to eat something I don't like but I am so frustrated with meals here. Any thoughts or suggestions??

Some one will give you better advice.I just wanted to let you know your not alone.I will make a sandwich,bowl of soup(from freezer,Always make batches and freeze them in bowl for the kids)if it is something they do not like.I feel no harm in doing it.I am the one doing it and it doesn't bother me a bit.I don't like trying to force feed them something they do not like.I remember that as a kids and never want them to feel the way I did .I do make them try a bite to see if they like it or not.There are things like fresh cold shrimp and some other things that the kids do not like and have something else those nights.I don't want to miss out on having what we like cuz it is something they do not like.Alot of people think I am crazy and it is not right to make two meals.I say I do and do not have a problem with it so you shouldn't!It doesn't bother me what people say about it they don't live with me

I don't cook two meals though.It is stuff frozen and nuked or a sandwich.Not to much work there.

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*Wife to Rick since (94-13 years)*
~Mom to 2 boys Dakota 13 & Ryan 8~
__________________________________

~Month~Budget~Spent~
February~400.00~380.35
March~400.00~419.65
April~400.00~395.94
May~400.00~391.53
June~375.00~373.13
July~375.00~365.62

I would never suggest making 2 meals to anyone as well....but I also don't believe in making meal times miserable either.

We've always worked really really hard to get creative with getting the kids to at least try things,and we make it very clear that it's ok to not like things.But we've also made them try it EVERY time I make it.

I have 3 pretty darn good eaters.....but I do think it depends on the kid...some just ARE pickier than others.

I don't think there's anything wrong w/giving a child a sandwich or something else that is quick and easy occasionally for you to enjoy a meal you like.

One thing that worked for us,was to tell them that if they eat some of OUR meal they get to pick the next nights meal

Picky eaters can be tough though.....I sympathize with all who deal with that.

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Avoid Fruits~N~Nuts....you are what you eat!!!

I have 2 kids that eat almost nothing. I don't fight with them. They are 9 & 10 yrs old and they can fix themselves something if they don't want what I prepared. (and they do almost every night)

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~Happiness is a large family~

I know it is VERY frustrating. I deal with this every day, too. My kids are extremely picky. Sometimes my five year old eats what I'm fixing and sometimes I make her something easy (sandwich, wrap, noodles, rice). My two year old never eats real foods. She is fixated on pretzels, goldfish, cereal and yogurt. I say do whatever makes your day easier. If the older children don't want dinner then make them fix something else. My five year old will make her own pb sandwich.

I don't have this problem anymore since my daughter is 34 but when she was little boy did I worry about her eating habits.

One week it would be nothing but jello, the next week it might be nothing but pizza or soup etc...

Finally I took her to the dr and he told me not to worry about it. Not to prepare her a separate meal but to have choices available and let it go. That even though it doesn't look like a well balance meal, she was still getting vitamins and minerals.

And they will eat when they get hungry.

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Buddy going night-nite

We have a rule that you have to try everything on your plate before saying you don't like it. Of course our older two, 7 & 5, are old enough that there are certain foods we know they simply don't like and when we have those foods, they aren't put on their plates. But there are some days where they just aren't in the mood for what we're having and they are welcome to fix themselves a bowl of cereal.

I personally don't think fighting over food is a good thing and I also don't think it's a good thing to let your kids go to bed hungry because they won't eat what is served. And I'm lucky that there aren't many foods that my kids won't eat. Although as toddlers, they all went through stages where they'd only eat certain things.

This is tough for me to give a fair opinion b/c both of my kids eat mostly everything. The only words I can offer is never give up on trying healthy foods. Maybe you could use one of those cookbooks where you hide the healthy food in their favorite meals. Good luck!

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In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.Mother Teresa

No.

DD can have her choice at breakfast. She can choose between a couple of things at lunch. At dinner, if I'm making something special (vs catch-as-catch can nights), then that is what she eats or nothing.

DD is NOT a terribly picky eater. She knows not every meal is going to be a 'party in her mouth'. As long as the food is edible, she is expected to eat some of it, if she is hungry. If she wants to wait until breakfast, that is fine, too.

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."

I had a cousin that did that.It was so weird cuz all he would eat for breakfast,lunch and dinner was macaroni and cheese for a long time.And he likes it as an adult.I would have thought he was sick of it right?

__________________
*Wife to Rick since (94-13 years)*
~Mom to 2 boys Dakota 13 & Ryan 8~
__________________________________

~Month~Budget~Spent~
February~400.00~380.35
March~400.00~419.65
April~400.00~395.94
May~400.00~391.53
June~375.00~373.13
July~375.00~365.62