So tired of cooking for my kids when they won't eat it

[Anonymous]

DS are 6 and 3 and are refusing to eat anything other than turkey sandwiches, spaghetti & meatballs, chicken fingers or Mac n cheese for dinner. Tonight I made meat and potatoes (thought I'd do something special for DH). Kids ate 3 bites (they must try things in our house or I won't make them anything else) and that was it.

Any advice? I'm exhausted from being a short order cook around here. Just want the kids to eat some healthy and filling dinners.

[Anonymous]

Are you kidding me? You won't cook them anything else unless they eat three bites??

Here's the solution: "kids, I am not a short order cook. Either you eat what I cook or you wait till the next meal." Or give them option of eating a banana.

[Anonymous]

Don't become a short order cook. I know it's frustrating especially since you put in the time and effort. (Our go to is a cheese stick if they don't want to eat.)

I try to include an element that I know my kids like in the dinner. You could try to get them involved in preparing the meal. That might help. Or let them pick out a picture of what they like from one of your cookbooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you kidding me? You won't cook them anything else unless they eat three bites??

Here's the solution: "kids, I am not a short order cook. Either you eat what I cook or you wait till the next meal." Or give them option of eating a banana.

+1 and my DC is barely 3.

[Anonymous]

I just don't understand this.
Why would they have any say in this?

You cook what you want. You serve it. They eat it or not (up to you to force feed them). They most definitely do not get to eat anything else until the next meal, when YOU choose what to cook.

And listen, I have a son at the 3rd percentile for weight who used to have feeding problems. He would take 2 hours to eat a meal as a toddler. Thank goodness he ate what was in front of him (carefully vetted by the nutritionist)... otherwise he would have needed a feeding tube, or died.

[Anonymous]

Unless your children are severely underweight and the doctor has said get them to eat no matter what, then don't be a short order cook.

Make the meal. Ideally make sure it has at least one thing that you know each kid will eat. That's dinner.

Tonight I made carrot-ginger soup and a loaf of french bread. The soup was new to DD so I also gave her some cheese on the side. Before she could have a second piece of bread I had her take 3 bites of soup. Otherwise, she had bread and cheese tonight. That's okay. She ate a solid breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.

Tomorrow we're having tacos and I know she'll eat a ton since it's a favorite. Thursday will be a Greek shrimp entree. She may or may not eat the shrimp, but she'll eat the couscous and the broccoli.

Truly, if you are being a short order cook because you are willing to be a short order cook. Let your kids know that things have changed. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

"Your job is to put a balanced meal in front of your kids. Their job is to eat it." My pediatrician's advice to me when we discussed my 2 picky eaters (5 and 7). So that is what I do. A night or two without dinner won't kill them. An apple (or other piece of fruit) is their only other option.

[Anonymous]

I like being a short order cook. I think it is my true calling. I can whip up just about anything for my little bastards and I'm happy to do it. I don't know why. I am the exception.

[Anonymous]

The tail wagging the dog!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like being a short order cook. I think it is my true calling. I can whip up just about anything for my little bastards and I'm happy to do it. I don't know why. I am the exception.

We get it. You have no life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like being a short order cook. I think it is my true calling. I can whip up just about anything for my little bastards and I'm happy to do it. I don't know why. I am the exception.

We get it. You have no life.

That may be true but we're not talking about gourmet stuff here. One wants chicken nuggets and the other wants mac and cheese. One wants a hamburger and the other wants a sandwich. If we have it, I really don't care. Sad but true.

[Anonymous]

My kid would only eat ice cream for breakfast the first 4 years of his life. I didn't fight it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Harsh but true. A night or two w out dinner wont kill them, you're right. I just have my mother in law in my ear all the time about how she's worried that they aren't getting enough nutrients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. Harsh but true. A night or two w out dinner wont kill them, you're right. I just have my mother in law in my ear all the time about how she's worried that they aren't getting enough nutrients.

That is always a concern but who cares. MIL is not in charge, you are. Own it and eff her!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like being a short order cook. I think it is my true calling. I can whip up just about anything for my little bastards and I'm happy to do it. I don't know why. I am the exception.

You may like it but you do them no favors, let me assure you.