Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:1) Keep fresh fruit and preferred snacks on standby, in case they refuse to eat and show signs of starvation. Otherwise have them sit at the table and have a drink they like for a fixed period of time and then let them scamper off.
2) Ask sister what go-tos are - if it’s an omelet or boiled pasta with butter or something easy, just do it.
3) If they ask for pasta with ketchup or some other crime against humanity…refuse. My mother would clutch her chest and say, but “we…are…Italian” for dramatic effect.
4) Ask sister what preferred brands are and try to accommodate within reason.
5) Consider involving kids in cooking so they can taste. That can inspire appetite.
6) Some of their pickiness might be confirmation bias by parents - their taste buds can change. Encourage tasting.
7) Try not to fixate on what they are eating/how much, avoid shaming - stop the Boomers from injecting shame or commenting on weight or which kid loves bread too much, etc.
8) Try not to stress too much - the stress gets into the food. The point of the meal is being together.
9) Encourage sibling to be proactive and help when needed. For example my sister said niece only eats peeled English cucumbers. I say, what a shame, I can reliably get Persian cucumbers - can you pick some up - and I then I beckon her into the kitchen with a glass of wine and a peeler.
10) if there is a child who is a reliable eater of diverse foods, sit them next to the picky kids and model more adventurous eating behavior.
Most of these things are fine if you are the parent. They are not in any way appropriate for a host do with someone else’s child.
For one’s nieces or nephews? Maybe the parents should make their kids pre-game at home, with no expectations of their hosts catering to them in any way.
Anonymous wrote:If they are really picky, then no one can advise you without knowing what they will eat. Personally, I might do a substantial charcuterie board with different meats, cheeses, crackers, fruit, etc., and then maybe an assortment of chips and dips (hummus, salsa, guacamole, etc.). Maybe a few other heavy apps. Just let everyone graze.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:1) Keep fresh fruit and preferred snacks on standby, in case they refuse to eat and show signs of starvation. Otherwise have them sit at the table and have a drink they like for a fixed period of time and then let them scamper off.
2) Ask sister what go-tos are - if it’s an omelet or boiled pasta with butter or something easy, just do it.
3) If they ask for pasta with ketchup or some other crime against humanity…refuse. My mother would clutch her chest and say, but “we…are…Italian” for dramatic effect.
4) Ask sister what preferred brands are and try to accommodate within reason.
5) Consider involving kids in cooking so they can taste. That can inspire appetite.
6) Some of their pickiness might be confirmation bias by parents - their taste buds can change. Encourage tasting.
7) Try not to fixate on what they are eating/how much, avoid shaming - stop the Boomers from injecting shame or commenting on weight or which kid loves bread too much, etc.
8) Try not to stress too much - the stress gets into the food. The point of the meal is being together.
9) Encourage sibling to be proactive and help when needed. For example my sister said niece only eats peeled English cucumbers. I say, what a shame, I can reliably get Persian cucumbers - can you pick some up - and I then I beckon her into the kitchen with a glass of wine and a peeler.
10) if there is a child who is a reliable eater of diverse foods, sit them next to the picky kids and model more adventurous eating behavior.
Most of these things are fine if you are the parent. They are not in any way appropriate for a host do with someone else’s child.
Anonymous wrote:1) Keep fresh fruit and preferred snacks on standby, in case they refuse to eat and show signs of starvation. Otherwise have them sit at the table and have a drink they like for a fixed period of time and then let them scamper off.
2) Ask sister what go-tos are - if it’s an omelet or boiled pasta with butter or something easy, just do it.
3) If they ask for pasta with ketchup or some other crime against humanity…refuse. My mother would clutch her chest and say, but “we…are…Italian” for dramatic effect.
4) Ask sister what preferred brands are and try to accommodate within reason.
5) Consider involving kids in cooking so they can taste. That can inspire appetite.
6) Some of their pickiness might be confirmation bias by parents - their taste buds can change. Encourage tasting.
7) Try not to fixate on what they are eating/how much, avoid shaming - stop the Boomers from injecting shame or commenting on weight or which kid loves bread too much, etc.
8) Try not to stress too much - the stress gets into the food. The point of the meal is being together.
9) Encourage sibling to be proactive and help when needed. For example my sister said niece only eats peeled English cucumbers. I say, what a shame, I can reliably get Persian cucumbers - can you pick some up - and I then I beckon her into the kitchen with a glass of wine and a peeler.
10) if there is a child who is a reliable eater of diverse foods, sit them next to the picky kids and model more adventurous eating behavior.
Anonymous wrote:It’s my sister, her 2 kids, my parents, and us: 2 adults and 3 kids.
My go to a big pot of soup and bread and salad, but that leaves nothing for her girls.
Chicken nuggets might not work, because I’m not sure what brand they will eat and I do not want to ask.
Snacks seem like a good idea…or a roast chicken???
Anonymous wrote:Please don't make something specially for them as they won't eat it and you will be annoyed. A bowl of goldfish crackers and sliced baguette is enough. Maybe have out some sliced cheddar cheese and grapes if you think others will snack on that.
Don't focus on food with these kids. Enjoy them for other aspects of their personalities that you like.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Those girls are crappy eaters. Bad mom parenting skills. If they are hungry, they will eat healthy food.
Clearly you don't have picky kids. Mine would go days or weeks without eating even if we gave them what they liked.
We ate healthy/regular food when the babies were in the oven. Lots of food from different continents and made sure it was spicy. When they popped out, continued the veggie/fruit healthy baby food. When they were toddlers we served them everything; broccoli, asparagus, chile, sardines, hamburgers, thai chicken, pizza, sweet potatoes, salmon, omelets, lentil soup, blah blah blah. They still eat most everything. It takes a little effort to plan, but worth it for their health. They didn't have a choice to be picky eaters. Wasn't going to happen on my watch.
+1000
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Those girls are crappy eaters. Bad mom parenting skills. If they are hungry, they will eat healthy food.
Clearly you don't have picky kids. Mine would go days or weeks without eating even if we gave them what they liked.
We ate healthy/regular food when the babies were in the oven. Lots of food from different continents and made sure it was spicy. When they popped out, continued the veggie/fruit healthy baby food. When they were toddlers we served them everything; broccoli, asparagus, chile, sardines, hamburgers, thai chicken, pizza, sweet potatoes, salmon, omelets, lentil soup, blah blah blah. They still eat most everything. It takes a little effort to plan, but worth it for their health. They didn't have a choice to be picky eaters. Wasn't going to happen on my watch.
Anonymous wrote:Many kids turn into picky eaters when the go to elementary school. They see other kids eating crappy food and they want to do the same. The parents cave and start serving them processed food and lots of sweets. They are probably the same parents that bring Gatorade and Doritos for their five-year old’s after game snacks.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Those girls are crappy eaters. Bad mom parenting skills. If they are hungry, they will eat healthy food.
Clearly you don't have picky kids. Mine would go days or weeks without eating even if we gave them what they liked.
We ate healthy/regular food when the babies were in the oven. Lots of food from different continents and made sure it was spicy. When they popped out, continued the veggie/fruit healthy baby food. When they were toddlers we served them everything; broccoli, asparagus, chile, sardines, hamburgers, thai chicken, pizza, sweet potatoes, salmon, omelets, lentil soup, blah blah blah. They still eat most everything. It takes a little effort to plan, but worth it for their health. They didn't have a choice to be picky eaters. Wasn't going to happen on my watch.
NP. So parents of kids with ARFID should starve them? You sound like an idiot, OP. I hope you learn more about medical and mental health disorders for the sake of your children. Or will you not be allowing "depression" on your watch?
We're not talking about kids with psychological disorders, such as ARFID. We're talking about kids who are run-of-the-mill picky eaters. And I agree with PP. That is 99% parent induced.