I am fairly strict about a lot of rules, but must admit I am not so strict about food.

We never had food in our house, growing up, so I never really acquired a taste for it. I eat now only because I wouldn't sleep if I didn't, but I really don't desire food too much. I could live on toast, actually ... but always eat what's served at other people's houses.

It was hard to be strict, when I don't eat. I've always cooked good meals for the kids, but never sat and ate them myself (I always told them I ate at work). I have one daughter who will eat almost anything, and another who eats very few things. The fussy one eats things that are good for her (well, except noodles ), and would be quite happy if I made a mixed or ceasar salad every other night, alternated by sushi the other.

I had a hard time with the fussy one, and did keep meals for her if she didn't eat them. The problem was that she would still refuse to eat, then go to daycare the next day and fill up there. She figured that out VERY early on. There are many nights that she will eat ONLY the salad, or ONLY eat the meat (HATES cooked veggies, only raw), so feeding her has always been a challenge. She is trained to at least take as much of "something" at other people's houses, so that it looks like she has eaten a meal . . . even if it is only the salad at the end of it.

I was forced to sit and eat at home, WHEN there were meals, but I could sit there till the next day. Guess I know where my daughter got her stubborness from.

Cherie