Anonymous wrote:I think the big thing for serving kids is to deconstruct whatever the meal is. My kids are 1.5 and 4. They have what adults eat but slightly modified. Tonight adults had a Cobb salad. Kids had all of the components but in separate little mounds (beans, lettuce, chicken, cheese, ranch, tomatoes, corn). Our favorite meals are “build your own” bowls, tacos, salads. (Haha I even serve soup this way even thought it annoys me to cater to a 4 year old.) Have you ever had bulgogi or bibimbap? These are major hits and easy to customize.

We followed this same method. Served us well during elementary school years, too, when my kids were actually pickier than when they were toddlers.

I think the big thing for serving kids is to deconstruct whatever the meal is. My kids are 1.5 and 4. They have what adults eat but slightly modified. Tonight adults had a Cobb salad. Kids had all of the components but in separate little mounds (beans, lettuce, chicken, cheese, ranch, tomatoes, corn). Our favorite meals are “build your own” bowls, tacos, salads. (Haha I even serve soup this way even thought it annoys me to cater to a 4 year old.) Have you ever had bulgogi or bibimbap? These are major hits and easy to customize.

Children’s menu is a restaurant-invented concept . They serve cheap junk food to kids to lure their parents in for the good food.

Don’t fall for it.

Your kids are growing and learning eating habits.

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they eat whatever you're eating ?

If you're having burgers, use sliders/mini buns instead. If having chicken, cut up into square pieces, etc.

It is a mistake to think kids need their own type foods.

You would serve them well to expose them to “normal”, healthy foods from toddler age.

(Fish, chicken, veggies, pasta, fruit)

I’m the above PP. don’t overthink what is dinner food. My mom has a thing that dinner has to be a hot meal. It doesn’t. I care more about whether it’s good nutritionally than whether someone else would call it a dinner.
If we’re happy with cheese, nuts, fruit, raw veggies, and WG crackers and it’s on the table in less than 10 mins that’s ok for dinner.

We have always eaten together and DD ate the same as us. Although might be variations.
At toddler age black beans with shredded cheese, by preschool age, black bean/cheese quesadillas.
Salmon was always a favorite, with rice and a veg.
Rotisserie chicken, just shredded on their plate, with some cucumbers/tomatoes, I would have mine on a salad.
Annie’s brand lentil soup drained slightly. As a toddler she ate it plain, as she got older, over rice. I also like it with rice.
Cheese/crackers/nuts/fruit are dinner every couple of weeks too.