Hi All, OP here, thanks for the suggestions! Not really appreciating the judgements on my picky eaters though. We require our kids to try everything, but kids DO have more sensitive tastebuds than adults, and their tastes often evolve over time. I was a VERY picky eater growing up and was NOT forced to try or eat anything I don't like, and I now am a fairly adventurous eater. I DO make my kids eat their fruits and veggies, but beyond that, why bother? I'm not sure this is a "bad habits" issue. Not that I have to defend my picky eaters or parenting choices to anyone...

Here are the things my kids DO like alot:
- Fish Sticks (we buy "healthy" low ingredient ones)
- Chicken Tenders/Nuggets
- Rotisserie Chicken
- Some Mac & Cheeses
- Occasionally Grilled Cheese
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Hot Dogs (we don't allow these often)
- Kielbasa & Perogies (also not often)
- Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes (sometimes yes, sometimes no)
- Cheese Tortellini
- Cheese Pizza
- Cheese Quesadilla
- Turkey/Ham Subs (we limit this as well)
- Beef Tacos
- Sloppy Joe Sandwiches
- Broccoli, Peas, Carrots, Green Beans, Strawberries, Oranges, Apples

They don't like "mixed foods" like casseroles and lasanga. And they don't like spaghetti and meatballs or red sauce (too acidic - canker sores), generally. Or asian sauces (benihana - they are scared of the fire there, PF Changs, Chinese). And they are minimal meat eaters when it comes to burgers and things like that. So this leaves us with not a lot of options.... I'm thinking I'll call the Steakhouse to see what they can offer plain, and think a little more about the Melting Pot as well. Appreciate any ideas or suggestions or things your family does, keep it coming!

Anonymous wrote:Oh, OP. This is so sad. Another reason not to let your kids grow up to be picky eaters.

Why don't you just try telling them that this is dinner, this is where we're going, and it will be a wonderful family dinner? It's time to get past your current mindset.

Some people are just born vehemently disliking lots of flavors. My parents raised two kids the same way and one is picky while one isn't. You can expose a small child to lots of flavors, have them shop, have them help cook, and they'll still be miserable at the dinner table and cry at restaurants that have unfamiliar foods.

What about making your own pizzas? That way everyone could have whatever topping they would like but it would be more of a group experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, OP. This is so sad. Another reason not to let your kids grow up to be picky eaters.

Why don't you just try telling them that this is dinner, this is where we're going, and it will be a wonderful family dinner? It's time to get past your current mindset.

Not letting your kids be picky eaters is like not letting your kids be short.. I would not want my families Christmas to include sulky hungry kids who just ate bread for dinner..

Absolutely not. What OP describes is the result of letting bad habits get out of hand.

A lot of steakhouses have mac and cheese as a side -- just make sure that it is a plain one or they can make it plain (eg, not super fancy cheese or lobster or bacon in it). And french fries too. We will often do that with our DD, who won't eat hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets/tenders, or french fries. Eating out with a picky eater is hard -- yes, we can just take her to where we want to go, but if your kid has nothing to order and is hungry and unhappy it ruins a potentially nice night and is just a waste of money.

You could also do make your own pizzas at home one night.

Anonymous wrote:We do cheese fondue on Christmas Eve. My picky eaters love it and look forward to it!

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We have "pizza fondue" - basically a cheese fondue with pizza sauce mixed in -- plus chocolate fondue for dessert. My kids love it and think it's very special because we only do it that one day of the year.

Op, what do your kids like? Maybe pick the most elaborate thing they like and make it and then make yours and dh's fancier?

We always had lasagna on Xmas eve growing up. Make it yourself in a way your kids will like it. My mom liked that she could make it ahead of time and that it was a heavy meal to counter act all the sugar to hopefully help us sleep...

Anonymous wrote:Oh, OP. This is so sad. Another reason not to let your kids grow up to be picky eaters.

Why don't you just try telling them that this is dinner, this is where we're going, and it will be a wonderful family dinner? It's time to get past your current mindset.

Not letting your kids be picky eaters is like not letting your kids be short.. I would not want my families Christmas to include sulky hungry kids who just ate bread for dinner..

We do cheese fondue on Christmas Eve. My picky eaters love it and look forward to it!

We took our kids to Ruth's Chris a few months ago, and they made my picky 8 year old a very delicious hamburger. There was no kids' menu, but we asked and they did it. This was the one in Crystal City overlooking the airport. I am not sure what your kids will eat, but it is worth a try.

What about a benihana's type place? My picky eater isn't crazy about the food there (because it isn't the same food he eats every day) but it's such a fun experience. He just gets plain chicken and rice to eat. We also have 4 year old and he is fine with the hot table. My kids would also love melting pot but we haven't done it yet.

we are in a similar place. I was thinking about getting some hors d ouvres/ trader joes type things, and include desserts. Just fun and different than usual.

Oh, OP. This is so sad. Another reason not to let your kids grow up to be picky eaters.

Why don't you just try telling them that this is dinner, this is where we're going, and it will be a wonderful family dinner? It's time to get past your current mindset.

First consider what restaurants are open on Christmas Day. I might let kids choose one day and parents the other.

I've been reading all the suggestions for Christmas menus on this board. We have two small kids (7 & 3), and it's just the 4 of us for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Growing up, we did appetizers/snacks on Christmas Eve with tons of family, and maybe a turkey or ham dinner on Christmas Day. The fact is, I don't need all that work for just the 4 of us, when my kids won't eat most of it or appreciate it. Now that we stay home for those two days instead of traveling, I'm trying to find a tradition/way to make it "special" for my kids the way it was for me, even if it's going out to dinner (last year, I think we fed them a "kid" dinner and then grilled steak, etc. for ourselves later, but this year I want it to be more...memorable. My 7 year old liked the idea of going out to dinner instead of breakfast/brunch on Christmas Eve day... but suggested our local pizza place. We do love it there, but it doesn't seem very special, considering we go 1-2x/month. I was thinking about doing something they've never done, like the Melting Pot. That seems fun/special, although risky with a 7-yo who will probably say the cheese tastes wierd and make faces, and our youngest may be stressful around the hot plates....? My other idea was our local and very nice steakhouse, however last time we took the kids, we brought them grilled cheese sandwiches from Five Guys since there isn't a kids menu there. Any other ideas? I'd like us to go out, especially since we literally sit home in our PJ's for those two days - it's very relaxing but nice to get out.