after reading some threads about picky eaters in a family...

[disneyfan2kids]

No problem, I will stop. Until someone else brings it up.

 

[hsmamato2]

WOW. I don't like how some pp's jumped on Op saying her kids were repressed or would hide important things, b/c they were trained to be POLITE human beings and just eat the dinner she made! WOW. Sorry,but I agree with her in some respects, these boards are FULL of threads with titles about 'helping my picky eater find something he wants on a vacation"...etc. Really?
You can't have it both ways folks! You either teach your kids that it's simply good manners to learn to try the foods that are carefully picked for them,or you cater to whims and pickiness! no excuses, that is how it works! I have one who is naturally inclined to picking,and one who eats everything- no magic tricks, but very early on, I let the kids know it is RUDE to have a hissy fit over every little food thing- if they didn't like something,just eat what you want for your meal,and say something to the effect of " I would have liked ____ a bit better if there were no onions,that's why I didn't finish it."
Or even easier, go to McD's, and get a cheeseburger, uh-oh, darling child doesn't like pickles! what to do,what to do? OH,I KNOW! teach darling child to take pickles off,and eat what he likes without a dramatic scene! what a concept!
When we're invited anywhere for a meal, I am totally confident that my kids will try whatever is being offered,and if they don't want it, will politely say 'no thanks' without any foolish behavior.
There are things they like better than others, but even if it's just a small amount they will always eat dinner. (like when I make chili, one kid eats carefully,leaves behind certain ingredients,the other hoovers it up, whatever. when they're done,they're done.) and if they're 'hungry' they can eat at breakfast,as dinner didn't suit them well. I pick green peppers out of food, so I don't mind if they POLITELY put a bit aside out of preference.
Oh, long ago, I told them they could each have one "NO!" food, where I would never expect them to partake, but they had to choose just one,and then everything else was fair game for trying and eating. One kid chose tomatoes,one chose onions. SO I know when it's spaghetti night,one kid is exempt from the sauce b/c it's his 'one choice'. but ONLY ONE.
( of course this is NOT about people who have eating issues/disorders that go beyond preferences,etc)

 

[njcarita]

op here.....
wow...didn't mean to start a such a debate on chlid rearing..
Just wanted to share that I was thankful that I didn't have to deal with picky eaters in my family..