Well then YOU make dinner...

[ZephyrHawk]

Personally, I think that the whole making kids try all different kinds of foods against their will and making them finish everything that is on their plates is a huge reason why so many people are obese these days.

People should eat until they've had enough food and not until the food is all gone.

I agree about not eating everything on your plate. I am not, and never have been encouraged to be, a member of the "clean plate club". I believe the problem that many parents face, including my own, are children who refuse to eat even a bare nibble something they don't like. And by "don't like" I mean, "never tried and so it must be icky". I was very serious about not eating things I did not like. I would happily forego dessert. I would proudly sit for hours alone at the table rather than take one more bite of peas (I now love peas, by the way). I would happily go to bed hungry rather than eat a single green bean (still don't like green beans, though).

My parents never asked me to clean my plate, they merely asked me to eat something that was put in front of me.

Also, why do adults get to decide what they like and don't like but kids aren't allowed to have a voice? We need to respect their decisions, and I'm not talking about letting them eat chicken nuggets and hot dogs, sugared cereal and other crap.

Respect for decisions should not equate to "giving in to their point of view". For you, that giving in limit might stop at unhealthy foods like those you mention. Personally, my giving in limit is elsewhere, basically when you are putting me out and expecting me to make something special just for you when everyone else in the fmily is happy with what I put on the table.

As I side note, I totally will feed my kids chicken nuggests, hot dogs, sugared cereal and other crap from time to time, so you all can just put me down as a heathen mother right now.

 

[LSmith]

As I side note, I totally will feed my kids chicken nuggests, hot dogs, sugared cereal and other crap from time to time, so you all can just put me down as a heathen mother right now.

Well, as long as it's served with a salad...

 

[ReneeA]

OP, Excuse me, I'm addressing posts by others on this thread, if you don't mind.

Personally, I think that the whole making kids try all different kinds of foods against their will and making them finish everything that is on their plates is a huge reason why so many people are obese these days.

People should eat until they've had enough food and not until the food is all gone.

Why is it a badge of honour for some parents who brag that their kids will eat "everything"? My kids are somewhat "picky". They don't like most sauces, gravy or condiments of any kind. Why would I force them to eat things like ketchup or relish or mayo or whatever? They hate fat and deep fried, greasy foods. They are offered healthy foods at home and can select and help themselves to what they want to eat based on this if they don't care for the meals I prepare.

Also, why do adults get to decide what they like and don't like but kids aren't allowed to have a voice? We need to respect their decisions, and I'm not talking about letting them eat chicken nuggets and hot dogs, sugared cereal and other crap.

I am cooking one meal for my family. I refuse to cater to every person...I cook the same things as DH and I ate before kids came along, because I don't believe in classifying food as "kid food" or "adult food". If they don't like what I cook...fine. But there will be no cooking a separate dish for a kid that is picky. I've done it since they were babies - by the time they were eating baby food from a jar, they were eating our food thrown into a blender.

I feel as though catering to kids isn't good for them. I don't want to be the mom of the kid that is so picky he won't eat at a friend's house or Grandma's. I want to send them to school at any given day with lunch money, and have them eat hot lunch since I leave for work at 6am and don't always get a change to pack them lunch. I don't want them to be constantly telling people "I don't like that, or I won't eat that." I want to make it easy on myself and everyone that deals with them - they will eat what everyone else eats - adult or child. They've never been catered to when it comes to meals - try it or else. If you don't like it, you can have a sandwich or some Cheerios later, but you will try it. They do not have to eat everything on their plate - I don't either.

As for the overweight kids comment, most of the chubby kids I come into contact with are the pickiest. That's because they only eat pizza, hot dogs, nuggets, rolls, corn from a can, and very little that's good for them...and someone they live with allows it.

 

[tiff211]

I am definitely taking some of these suggestions and using them in my household. I actually have the opposite problem with my DH, lol. He will eat WHATEVER I make. I didn't know for 8 years of marriage that he didn't like spinach. He let it slip one day. I make it all the time because its my favorite veggie and my DDs will eat it all well.

I remember once when DD11 and DD9 were younger maybe 6 and 4 at the time, I made pork chops. I cut it up and made their plates. DD11 asked what it was, I told her. DD9 says she HATES pork chops. I say "oh did I say pork chops I meant chicken." DD11 says "but I don't like chicken" I said "oh, I made pork chops for you" They both sat down and cleaned their plates!

 

[apnep]

OP--I am really impressed with your attitude on this thread and your willingness to try some of the suggestions posted And yes, we all have our moments when life just gets to be too much and it seems like it is always a minor thing that is the last straw

Well, thanks. I realize I'm not perfect and that I may be the one who needs to change...but just a little.

 

[apnep]

OP, Excuse me, I'm addressing posts by others on this thread, if you don't mind.

Personally, I think that the whole making kids try all different kinds of foods against their will and making them finish everything that is on their plates is a huge reason why so many people are obese these days... People should eat until they've had enough food and not until the food is all gone...

Also, why do adults get to decide what they like and don't like but kids aren't allowed to have a voice?

Maybe, maybe not...it takes many tries for a kid to like a food. Their taste buds need a chance to develop, so I will ask them to just try it and if they don't like it then they don't have to eat it but I will always offer it to them and suggest they taste. Sometimes, my kids will try stuff and love it. I will make it again and they won't want it. I remember when I was younger I HATED tomatoes. I wouldn't touch them. But then one day, it's like my body was craving them and I had to have them. I love them now.

As to finishing what's on your plate... All my kids are different in age, and different in size, therefore, serve accordingly. Servings=size of their palm, based on the type of food...protein, veg, carb. I like the way Tosca Reno explains serving sizes...

Now if we are asking them to finish what is on the size of a big huge restaurant sized plate, that's a totatlly different story. I just tell my kids to eat slow, and stop if they are full.

 

[apnep]

you all can just put me down as a heathen mother right now.

You let your child indulge in chicken nuggets? And fries? And Cocoa Puffs?? Heathen mother!! You can throw me in that club too.

 

[apnep]

... DD9 says she HATES pork chops. I say "oh did I say pork chops I meant chicken." DD11 says "but I don't like chicken" I said "oh, I made pork chops for you" They both sat down and cleaned their plates!

Hilarious! I have done this too.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

After dinner he always, and I mean ALWAYS, told my mom that dinner was great and thanked her for it. Eventually we all got in the habit of doing that too

This is the nicest thing I have read or heard all day. And what I had thought the OP was initially getting at--family should appreciate what the members of that family do for each other.

 

[Ilivetogo]

DD11 asked what it was, I told her. DD9 says she HATES pork chops. I say "oh did I say pork chops I meant chicken." DD11 says "but I don't like chicken" I said "oh, I made pork chops for you" They both sat down and cleaned their plates!

That's the best.

.

 

[bigmerle1966]

I feel as though catering to kids isn't good for them.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Well, no 'whiny-butt' drama here tonight!
I made a pot of homemade chicken-n-dumplings.
DH and DS ate it up and went back for seconds!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry, but I do not see anyone here who is saying that one should 'cater' to little kids.

Kid: "I want pizza and ice cream, every night!!!!"
Parent: "Why sure little precious snowflake!!!!"

I mean really....
There is a huge, HUGE, difference between a little respect for reasonable personal preferences and 'catering'.

The food control issues with a few of the posters here are just incredible.

(not talking about the OP who has taken the positive and negative here with great grace!!!)

 

[Buckalew11]

I've been really lucky in this department. When I got married 25 yrs. ago, I could barely boil water. DH has always eaten everything put in front of him. He always comments positively. Once DD (now 18) made a negative comment about dinner and DH had her up, down the hall and back at the table in about 5 mins. I got an apology and have never heard another negative comment. No joke.

When dd hears a pot or pan clang in the kitchen she comes running to help with dinner. She's a great cook and on my late nights at work, she usually cooks. I'm going to miss that next year.

 

[MommyJack]

My Dad used to make us eat whatever was served, no matter what. The rule was eat it or wear it and he meant it. I never thought that was fair so I made up the following rules:

If you've never had it or it's been a really long time, you have to try one bite.

If you don't like it you can have a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, but they have to wait until I'm done eating.

I get frustrated sometimes watching my hard work go to waste, but I've stopped trying to cater to everyone. I'm not the greatest cook, but I try hard to put healthy meals on the table. My kids (ds -11 & dd -7) are healthy and within acceptable weights. Some day they will appreciate that I have taught them to eat healthy.

 

[jujube]

I've been really lucky in this department. When I got married 25 yrs. ago, I could barely boil water. DH has always eaten everything put in front of him. He always comments positively. Once DD (now 18) made a negative comment about dinner and DH had her up, down the hall and back at the table in about 5 mins. I got an apology and have never heard another negative comment. No joke.

When dd hears a pot or pan clang in the kitchen she comes running to help with dinner. She's a great cook and on my late nights at work, she usually cooks. I'm going to miss that next year.

Wow, you gave me a blast from the past! I had to call my mom to ask her how to cook hotdogs!