I love tomatoe's but can't stand tomatoe soup.. Hugs to all Sue

It was no problem with me, the only thing I wouldn't eat was brussel sprouts. However, that has become my major problem. I like nearly everything -- except that I will not eat thick pasta. It has to be angel hair pasta, or I won't eat it. And, I still hate brussel sprouts!

One of my grandsons would only eat mashed potatoes for about six months. His parents went along with it (this was when he was two). Now he is nine, and he is a good eater.

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

I remember the "you must eat half of everything" rule when I was growing up. We didn't have dessert that often in my house, and there was no other food to be had if you didn't eat what was cooked. But to make sure we got enough, we had to eat at least half of the veggies as well as the meat.

Luckily my grandmother was a great cook, since her house rule was "clean your plate".

kind eerie as kids we didnt have a lot either, so there really wasnt too much of a choice. I see others have had same experience to deal with, not much to put on the table, kind of weird in a land of plenty to have naught

everyone will hate me here but I dont make kids eat what they dont want.
My parents made me do that and I threw up asparagus all over the table.
They never did again.(I still cant eat and hate the smell of asparagus.)

I tell them they at least have to take a bite. I always put out a bowl
of raw veggies that I know they will eat. If they like what Im making and
dont eat the veggies, they go in their lunch the next day so no waste.

At times I feel like a short order cook. but its okay. Now my older sons
will eat lots of things so I guess it will all work out with my littler ones.

Okay.........throw your rotten fruit at me.*ducking behind sofa*

I can't imagine anyone would care that this is your way of doing things. Especially your kids, they got it good!

I recall eating some of the boys' food if they didn't want it. Also, one time we were at a Ponderosa brunch buffet. DH put some whip topping on some canned grapefruit sections. Our oldest son, then about 2 yo, wouldn't take a bite. DH put a bite in his mouth, and DS heaved in his high chair tray. I warned DH about force feeding, lol.

Sox,

I can't remember my kids ever really disliking something I cooked so badly that they didn't eat it....but I always tried to fix what I knew they liked so we didn't have that problem.

I totally understand what you mean....you want your kids to be happy and enjoy their "supper time" and not have it be a battle of the wills. I've felt like a short-order cook at times, too. But, I'm just thankful to be able to cook and to have someone here to cook for!

Now that my boys are grown we're friends as well as family and I truly believe it's because they always felt like their opinions were/are valued in our home and that what they said and felt really mattered.

Very good points, Kelly.

Cherie