The title isn't a statement, it is an actual question. Though I strive to eat as clean as I can (very limited process foods, lots of veggies and protein), my kids, by my own fault, will only eat chicken if it is "crunchy", mac and cheese and pizza. I once threw like a tablespoon of peas into two batches of mac and cheese and anarchy ensued. To this day, they still talk about the "peas" like it was a nuclear event. They like some fruits and veggies, but are hold outs when it comes to trying new things. Though, I will say, they older they get, the better they are at least at trying something new.
I know, I know, every parenting book out there says you make one meal and if they don't eat, they will eventually when they are starving. Here is my problem with this: when I was a kid and we went to my grandparents house, we always had ham. I hate ham. I hate the texture, the smell, the taste, everything about ham grosses me out. I love all kinds of pork, but ham is NOT on that list. Nor will it ever be. But I was forced to eat it. "Don't eat and you get nothing else". Now at long family gatherings, that is a daunting thought to a kid. No food until tomorrow morning and it is only 5pm? I would eat the ham against my will. Here lies my willingness to make meals my kids like and then make a meal for me and husband. I don't ever want to force my kids to eat something they don't like. It will lead to food issues down the line, I can almost guarantee it.
So now my kids are picky eaters. Unless, of course, if they are at a neighbors house and will eat camel if offered. But here, it is the land of pickiness. Here is how their pickiness breaks down:
Oldest and only daughter: LOVES carbs of any kind. Known to polish off an entire bag of oyster crackers in a sitting. Will eat pasta for every meal. Does not eat enough dairy, meat/chicken, fruits and vegs. Nor does she drink enough water. She breaks bones very easily. Enough said.
Middle child: adores anything with syrup on it, not enough, if any, veggies. Not enough water. Does eat some meat and chicken if breaded the way he likes it. Loves to snack on snacky stuff and would do so all day long. Does not like lunch meat (unless Subway) or peanut butter (unless on his waffles, with syrup). SOO hard to pack lunch for him. He does like applesauce so that's something. Not much, but something.
Youngest: he will literally eat ANYTHING if you put it in a hamburger bun!!! Pork? Yep. Chicken? Yep. Pepperoni? Yep. Even lettuce. He will eat a lettuce sandwich if it is on a bun. Drinks plenty of water and gets so hungry that he will eat whatever I am willing to cut up for him. For snack today, he ate a small green pepper. No joke. Followed by a box of shells and cheese. That was SNACK. Not sure how to top that for dinner??
Husband will eat anything I make, thank me for dinner and be satisfied. He is clearly my favorite :)
I love to cook, so the two meals a night is really not a stressor for me. Husband used to work 2nd shift so it was just me and the kids for dinner. This meant way more than should have been allowed dinners in front of the tv, but it is hard to hold kids interest at dinner time when you are the solo entertainment. I do not know how to juggle or have a bevy of kid friendly jokes.
My bottom line is this: I want my kids to eat healthier and need to get my butt in gear to have stuff cut up and ready to go for them. If any of you out there have recipes or ideas, PLEASE let me know. We are all friends here, please share.
Cat
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