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Please help me reverse the misery of dinnertime

33 replies

artemisandaphrodite · 04/09/2013 13:53

When I was a child I was never forced to eat things I didn?t like, and never forced to clean my plate either. My parents were totally relaxed about food and as a result, I will now eat almost anything, and find it hard to understand fussy eating.

Fast forward 30 years ... and my DS (8) and DD (6) are incredibly fussy eaters, I get short and irritable about it though I do try and empathise, and dinnertimes are quite frequently just a miserable mess. Around 4pm DS will ask what?s for tea, I?ll tell him (i.e. what I?m making for me and DH, which of course he is welcome to have), and he will just roll his eyes and look crestfallen. Then ask ?What am I going to have?? and I just have to say, ?Well, pasta, I suppose.? It?s more or less the only thing that they?ll eat, but THEY are utterly sick of it too! They are so fed up with cheesy pasta every night, but they still won?t try new things. Honestly, I can?t conceive of a time when they will EVER try, and like, something new. I know it will happen eventually, but the concept is totally alien to me at the moment.

So dinnertime usually consists of the following: either I will make pasta for them; or they will sit at the table looking miserable till I?ve served me and DH, then ask if they can go and make toast, so I have to let them - can?t exactly force them to sit there with empty plates till we?ve finished.

Part of the problem is that I am inconsistent. Sometimes I make them pasta alongside what I?m making for me and DH; at other times, if it?s something time-consuming I?ve made, I will really resent having to get a second meal on the table as well. So I?ll get hissy about it because I?m so fed up with the whole thing, and it is obvious to the kids that I?m cheesed off at having to make a second meal. Or thirdly, they will just make themselves toast. Reading this back it sounds such a horrible situation and I suppose it is. And I?m well aware I?m largely to blame, but still feel: I?ve been chopping and peeling for over an hour; why the hell should I make another meal??

I have tried SO many things over the years. I have tried to get them involved in the cooking process but they?re not interested unless it?s baking cakes. I have tried putting small blobs of different kinds of foods with their pasta on the plate, to let them try them at their own pace (and left them to it, not nagged them!); I have plonked big bowls of each food in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves ... but they don?t. Nothing works. DD?s overall nutrition I?m not so worried about as she does eat plenty of different kinds of fruit, always has - but DS has whittled down the fruit he eats to, now, nothing. No fruit at all - only orange juice. He used to have apples but they come home every day uneaten in his packed lunch. It feels like I?m goading him to even put one in at all, but what the hell else will he eat? For lunch at school he now has a ham sandwich and water. There?s no point putting in fruit, yogurts, cereal bars, and I?m certainly not going to add crisps or chocolate.

I give them multivitamins every day as a kind of insurance policy, but it?s just not the way I wanted to feed my kids. The only things they truly get enthusiastic about if I tell them what?s for tea, is my homemade pizza, or Mexican (I throw this together with all the dips - make fresh guacamole and salsa etc - and let people help themselves). But in fact, DD?s version of the ?mexican? is simply the plain tortilla filled with grated cheese. So that obviously doesn?t count. DS does, amazingly, go for the fresh guacamole, but it?s not something I can make every bloody day just to get something green into him, and whenever I?ve tried to serve it as part of another dish he says it tastes ?different? and won?t eat it anyway! Oh, and the only other thing they love hearing will be on the menu is roast potatoes. But DP?s version takes over an hour so, again, is not something we can make every day. And anyway, if that?s part of dinner, that?s still the only bit they will eat - they need to be trying the quiche, or the fish, or whatever, that goes WITH the roast potatoes but no, that is their entire meal.

I don?t know how we got into this, I just know I need to go right back to the beginning and start the whole thing again. But I don?t know how. Specifically, I don?t know how to make the hour before dinner more fun and pleasant, when they ask me what?s for tea. After that, it?s all just such a downer as they know it?s another night eating pasta or toast for them. I know I need to be more cheerful but I also don?t want to dismiss the way they feel, either. Any tips would be gratefully received.

(Sorry this was so long and disclaimer: I don't do bribes, threats, punishments, reward charts etc - I know many of you will be scornful of my problem for that reason as you probably feel you could have fixed it by just being "harder" on them; maybe I should have but it's all done now and reprimanding me when I feel awful enough about it myself isn't going to help. Thank you.)

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CaptainSweatPants · 04/09/2013 13:58

Just serve what you & Dh eat

Would they eat a roast?

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stargirl1701 · 04/09/2013 14:08

Invite their friends round for tea? Peer pressure can be very useful. I have taught a number of children who eat food at school dinners that they refuse to eat at home. Make your meal and serve to everyone. See what happens...

Can they cook? Could they make a meal once a week? Plan it, shop for it, prepare it, cook it & serve it. Or, even grow it!

Would you let them go to bed hungry if they refused to eat your meal and there was alternative, such as the toast?

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HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm · 04/09/2013 14:14

What about getting them involved.in choosing the weeks menu? Have a list of meals you're willing to cook aand let them pick. Sit down and explain to them that from now on that is what will be served, with maybe fruit/yogurt for pudding and explain to that from this day onwards there will be no alternative, no toast or pasta. If they don't eat they will be hungry. I think they're old enough to understand that.
Put i think some child friendly meals too. We have an actifry for healthy chips which always gk down well.
When you serve it just ignore andpretend to be having a relaxed meal with your dh. When finished just clear away the plates, no coaxing, no compliments, no remonstrations.

And of course as you know you must be consistent.

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HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm · 04/09/2013 14:16

Sorry for typos, dratted phone.

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TVTonight · 04/09/2013 18:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sunnysummer · 04/09/2013 20:07

Agree with HP, that sounds like a great plan.There is often talk of the 'division of responsibility' - you get to decide what food, they get to decide how much. Toast and pasta need to be off the menu (and the cupboards probably need to be a bit bare of easily snackable food other than fruit for this to work!), then if they are hungry they will eat, even if there are some tricky days on the way. We did something similar with my tricky little brother (4 sisters, we totally spoiled him! ;-)) and after a few days of all of us being convinced he was going to waste away and ss would be called by the school, he got with the programme and ate up Smile

It's great that you aren't forcing them to clear plates, but they need to be able to at least sample everything and eat standard dinners - and you deserve a break from making multiple dinners!

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InMyShreddies · 04/09/2013 20:23

I parent and weaned very similarly to you.

I think you're right that the key is the hour before tea. It's the tension - they know when they ask what's for tea that mum will tell them, they will make a negative response (they've probably forgotten how to make a positive one) then you are in a bad mood with them til tea, then pasta/toast/whatever.

So, the key is to break that cycle. They ask what's for tea, tell them in an offhand, vaguely smiley way, maybe singing to yourself or something, and ignore their response entirely. Just go 'mmm' or something. Show them that it doesn't matter what they think - 'tea' is what you make and serve, end of.

My view of why baby led weaning is so successful is because it's actually old school, parent led, and the child has to either eat, not eat or whatever - the parent is - and this is the key - consistent and in control. This is what you need to regain. Here's some food - I'm enjoying it. Here's some for you. Eat it if you want. Or not. Whatever. And mean it. They'll know if you're giving sideways glares at their full plates.

How old are they? Sorry if I missed it if you said, I'm on iPhone app and can't see the other posts when writing . Are they old enough to make their own pasta? I don't think separate dinners is good at all, but pragmatically speaking it's simply not fair on you to cook different stuff on demand. So refuse. We live in an affluent society where people (generally speaking) don't go hungry. As you know, it's emotion and attitude that would be the only cause of hunger or overrating here. Just try with every bone in your body to remove all resentment and ishoos from food.

So the aim is to be a steady constant supply of healthy food. Ignore requests for you to dish up other stuff and focus on ignoring them as much as possible! Is your DH around at tea time, can you be deep in discussion with him as a tactic to ignore the demands for negotiation from kids? A success measure might not be the amount they eat but how good the conversation is at mealtimes for a week or so

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magnumicelolly · 04/09/2013 20:28

Cook stuff, stick it on the table in bowls for people to serve themselves. Serve yourself, let them serve themselves, you eat it, ignore what they do, just chat and have a relaxed meal. When you finish clear up, don't comment. Then that's it. No toast, no faffing, next meal is breakfast.

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InMyShreddies · 04/09/2013 20:29

Oh and subtly make sure they are hungry at tea time, that should also help. So distract them with something for a couple of hours pre dinner, and physical activity etc. Don't refuse them food/snacks but just try to avoid them having access to them iyswim. Makes a massive difference to how accepting my DS is of new foods.

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HumphreyCobbler · 04/09/2013 20:33

I sympathise. I think it all sounds very difficult. You have had some good advice here already but I am going to suggest having a meeting (a la How to talk so kids will listen). I think your children are old enough to really get this.

Explain that there is a problem, explain in child friendly terms what it is. Tell them that it is your job as a parent to help them eat a healthy varied diet and the fact that this is not happening is upsetting. Present the positives of eating a more varied diet. Ask them for their ideas on how to improve the situation and write every single one down, however ridiculous. Include your own. See what you come up with. They may well surprise you with solutions you have not thought of, they may well offer a compromise you could not have insisted on.

I hope this is not sounding to woo. I have done this myself with my fussy children and it really helped.

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fufulina · 04/09/2013 20:35

I read a thread on here ages ago, and something really struck a chord with me. As the parent, your job is to provide and cook the meal. Their job is to eat it. Or not. One meal for the family, and no toast/pasta back up plan. Try and take all the emotion out of it. They won't starve, and if the food is not contentious - liver, very spicy or something - they will, eventually, if that's all on offer, try it. At the moment, with the option of toast or pasta (and toast is DELICIOUS) there is no real incentive to try anything else.

I never ever coax my dds to finish their plate. Or try anything. If they finish their meal, they are offered fruit or yoghurt, if they don't, they can't be hungry, so they get no more food until breakfast. They know the rules, and so if they don't eat, I assume they generally aren't hungry. If they clear their plates, they have seconds, or afters. But pudding is not a given. I also think as long as they have one really good meal a day, they will be fine.

Don't know if that helps? I also BLW and as a poster said up thread, I think it set a pattern. This is what we're having - eat it or don't. Your choice.

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pizzaqueen · 04/09/2013 20:40

I agree with getting them involved. Start by explaining cheese pasta and toast is off the menu.

Come up with a meal plan together - some new things and some they recognise. Keep it simple and involve them in the cooking and prep where you can.

how about:

  • tomato pasta with cheese grated on top (hopefully familiar enough for them to try)
  • chicken skewer kebabs and pitas (fun and colourful!)
  • roast dinner
  • potato wedges, roast chicken and a veg
  • sausage mash and peas
  • make pizza from scratch together and let them choose toppings (maybe one for a weekend)
  • chicken goujons in a wrap with salad tomatos cucumber mini sweetcorn
  • a rice dish - mild curry or risotto


I'm feel like im preaching here and I don't even follow my own advice we're stuck in pasta a fish fingers rut her too.
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Leo35 · 04/09/2013 20:43

Do either of your children have appetite? I found that until DS1 found his (he matured, was busier with school et al.) that food was simply fuel to him. DS2 is a greedier soul and is far easier to tempt to try new foods. Are your children hungry when they sit to table?

I have found that texture is more of deal breaker on meals than flavour. That is homemade lamb kofteh kebabs go down a storm, but marinated lamb chunks with the same spices are not so appreciated

DS1 was working towards an increasingly limited range of meals/foods just as DS2 was beginning to be weaned. So we revisited old standards and added new recipes in to the rota of family meals and then running them past the DSs once again. Lots rejected but some stuck. You kind have to just go for it and ignore the rejections as best you can.

I do one meal for everyone, as that's The Law. The DSs know this, and is accepted. It doesn't mean they like everything, but they know that there is nothing else.

DSs are no where near where I'd like to be on range of foods (why don't they like pies???), so I too am still working through it. But I will prevail!

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KatyN · 05/09/2013 10:55

My mum used to plan the meals for the week and stick it up in the kitchen. I could see what was for tea that night and decide if it was a big lunch day or not! It would also mean I wasn't thinking about my favourite dinner all day and hoping when I got home that was what we were having. I just knew. Planning became a bit of an event because we each got to pick a favourite. This also meant that on a day which I wasn't particularly keen on dinner I knew it was dad's favourite (for example) and it was nice for him and he would eat my favourite in a couple of days.

it worked for us.. it might work for you??

good luck

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artemisandaphrodite · 05/09/2013 13:53

Thanks for all your replies and sorry I haven't updated till now. And thank you for not flaming me (so far, anyway! Grin) for being flaky and inconsistent. I was expecting one, tbh.

I think planning is the key, definitely, and I will attempt this. I had an initial chat with DS this morning and got him to list what he likes (though I know it all already). It does get irritating, I have to admit, as he listed yellow rice (as in takeaways) for example, but not plain white rice, which is obviously a bit better for him. And he loves the pastry parcels I make, with a block of puff pastry, rolled out and spread with sundried tomato paste then covered in mozzarella and baked ... but he ONLY likes it if I spend aeons cutting the block into lots of little fiddly parcels which take ages to seal with egg etc - if I make one large pastry tart with exactly the same ingredients, he's not interested! Grrr.

Cook stuff, stick it on the table in bowls for people to serve themselves. Serve yourself, let them serve themselves, you eat it, ignore what they do, just chat and have a relaxed meal. When you finish clear up, don't comment. Then that's it. No toast, no faffing, next meal is breakfast.

Magnum if only it were that easy! If I were to put something in front of them, then refused them anything else until breakfast if they didn't eat it, they would attempt to raid the bread bin to make toast, there would be a physical standoff, the hiding of the loaf of bread in an upstairs wardrobe or something, and all hell would break loose.

Once, years ago, I read a thread on here (I think) where a poster had been advised by a professional to not give their child another bite of anything until they had swallowed a mouthful of broccoli or whatever it was first. I was so desperate I tried it and DS didn't eat for nearly 24hrs. It was utter child cruelty and abuse and I regret every second of it. And we're still in this situation 4 or 5 years later ...

Pizzaqueen thanks for your reply - I do appreciate your list but reading it just depresses me as apart from the pizza (no toppings to choose though; they will ONLY have margherita), there's literally nothing on that list they would eat. They used to have tomato sauce pasta a lot but little by little started turning their noses up at it.

Humphrey I have done this in the past - tried to treat them as big kids and have a good productive discussion with them. They know what they need to eat to be healthy and we end the conversations with them saying they will try to eat new things ... but it just doesn't last.

fufulina, I am scared to suddenly forbid them to eat toast or pasta. It seems like cruelty, and at other times when I've got loads to do or other things to think about I just think "Oh, what does it matter, it's something they'll eat, it keeps them happy." I do try and make sure it's very good wholemeal seeded bread and all that, so they get some nutrition from it ...

shreddies they're 8 and 6. And I have a 3yo too who is much much better, and better than they were at his age too, so I have hope for him! He is perfectly happy to try new things without any cajoling or even mentioning it - he'll just look down at his plate and take a spoonful even if it's something he's never had before. And I'm perfectly happy if he then decides he doesn't like it, because he's tried and he might like it next time. With DS1 and DD it feels that there never will be a next time! Sad

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HPsauceonbaconbuttiesmmm · 05/09/2013 14:05

I do think you're pandering quite a bit tbh. If it would come to a physical stand off that's really not good. I'd not have pasta or bread accessible if its that bad.

It sounds like you're not ready fir the ultimatum of eat what's offered (off a carefully agreed list) or don't eat. I'm afraid that until you are ready their behaviour won't change. Why would it?
For the yellow rice you can buy pilau reasoning which may keep it a bit healthier.

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Thurlow · 05/09/2013 14:07

The one thing that stands out here - and I'll admit that my DC is much younger so I probably have no clue - is that you are saying the three regular suggestions of a) no food other than what is put in front of them, b) discussions about their need to eat differently and c) reward charts for trying new foods are all things you're not willing to try. I can understand why not, but especially without the threat of no food unless they try something new, or without rewards for trying something new, there is probably no real incentive for them to change their ways. I fully appreciate that not giving them any food seems absolutely awful, but if your DC know that they can always go and make toast if they don't eat their meal, then that's their easy out. They don't have to do anything differently, because they can just make something that they like.

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InMyShreddies · 05/09/2013 14:13

The phrase 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink' has never seemed so apt!

It's your mood and attitude that need to change, in the nicest possible way. It really is as simple as present healthy varied food and ignore their response . No alternative, no discussion (about food) just chat at the table. Is your DH at home at tea time for moral support and to chat to to ignore your children?

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artemisandaphrodite · 05/09/2013 14:14

Yeah, I know, Thurlow. I know they're stuck in a rut and have no incentive to change. Sad Thanks. I didn't say I wouldn't have discussions with them though?! Maybe you misread me? I certainly do want calm, productive chats with them about how we can make things better.

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artemisandaphrodite · 05/09/2013 14:21

I really do try that, Shreddies. There is actually a lot of "So, how was your day, dear?" (me to DP, cheerfully with big smile while whining goes on in background because roast potato has the wrong-coloured flesh, or whatever). I don't suddenly break down and say "Oh dear, do you not like it? Well, go and have some toast then". I do nothing like that, honestly.

I know you present it simply but it would go like this:

DS: "Can I make toast?"
Me, cheerfully: "No, there's nothing till morning"
DS: Whaaaat? But I'm HUNGRY! Can I make Weetabix? Bran flakes? Porridge?
Me: No, this is tea. (I say this a lot)
DS: Waaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
And all hell, etc, etc ...I would feel cruel sending them to bed hungry and DP would crack.

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Thurlow · 05/09/2013 14:27

Sorry, I really didn't mean that in a having a go way. Also I was taking your response above to Humphrey about having tried discussions before with them but not seeing any long-term results.

I know I haven't had this particular problem with food yet, but in my experience so far with parenting, there comes a breaking point where you feel you have to try something radically, drastically different to try and change things. For example, parents being so tired they decide to try a form of sleep training when previously they had been against that.

The sentence that sticks out to me from your first post is I?ve been chopping and peeling for over an hour; why the hell should I make another meal?? It's both correct - yes, in an ideal world you shouldn't regularly have to make two meals, especially not when you are all eating together. But it's also quite a snippy sentence and to me says a lot about how you feel about this.

I think this is one of those situations where it's up to you to decide as the parent whether you are stressed or unhappy enough about it to do something that you consider quite drastic.

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fiestabelle · 05/09/2013 14:38

OP I could have written your posts, I feel like a total failure when it comes to food related parenting, tbh I am guilty of complete inconsistency too, so veer between sending them to bed hungry, bribery and thinking lifes too short!

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artemisandaphrodite · 05/09/2013 14:38

Ah, I see, Thurlow. No, I'm totally prepared to keep talking about it until we can find a solution ... it's just that talking positively and cheerfully in the past seems to have made no difference, so I feel a bit defeated.

Yes, that sentence about chopping totally betrays my irritation, and you have wise words. I know I need to make a watertight 100% consistent plan with DP, and stick to it, so we all know exactly where we stand. The poor kids don't at the moment, as I'm always chopping and changing about what they are or are not allowed. It stinks, I know. Sad

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artemisandaphrodite · 05/09/2013 14:40

Thanks fiesta, good to know I'm not alone in my flakiness. What will your DC eat, and how old are they? What happens when you send them to bed hungry - is there a meltdown? Do they get remorseful or just resentful? Has any of the bribery resulted in them actually starting to eat something good on a regular basis? Would be really interested to know!

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Thurlow · 05/09/2013 14:42

Sending kids to bed hungry is a very drastic action. Reward charts etc are less drastic. Is there a reason why you won't consider them now?

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