tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221291336292934745.post9165237902296328707..comments2023-09-04T04:53:43.530-05:00Comments on Tales from the Mother Hood: The Great Veggie WarWonderland and Co.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11668070243424605799noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221291336292934745.post-74848210696364785412011-09-21T13:49:25.380-05:002011-09-21T13:49:25.380-05:00I'm not a parent, but I was like your 10yr old...I'm not a parent, but I was like your 10yr old. There were nights when I was falling asleep at the table, but I was so headstrong I would have rather lived at the table before a sweet pea entered my mouth. I have always been a picky eater (still kinda am), and I'm finding out that a lot of the things I refused to eat are now some of my favorites. <br /><br />My mom wouldn't allow me to have sweets (my weakness) if I was refusing to eat veggies at dinner time. If I didn't eat dinner, the next morning I would get plain oatmeal while my siblings ate pancakes or waffles. She also stored snacks out of my reach. Eventually I learned to just eat the dang peas. With a frown on my face. <br /><br />There are still some foods I just wont try even as an adult. Its taken years for my hubby to get me to eat eggs. I had a bad experience with an egg when I was six, so the thought of eating them made me queasy. Find out why some food items are so vehemently denied. Maybe he's had an adverse reaction? But I don't think you're asking much if you're just having them taste foods.Earl-Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02471129103916735251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6221291336292934745.post-89873310816782237282011-09-20T16:54:10.248-05:002011-09-20T16:54:10.248-05:00I can't say I've been in your shoes but I ...I can't say I've been in your shoes but I have been the main caregiver to other peoples kids. I've had to deal with the power struggles. With the changes going on for your new family, I bet everyone is feeling the need for control at least a little. <br /><br />I can't tell you what to do but I will share somethings I'd try if I was in your shoes right now...<br /><br />-Get rid of any snacks other than fruits or veggies and limit the amount they can eat. It's not as easy to skip over veggies if you are hungry. <br /><br />-Give each kid a day once a week (or month) to pick a meal and help cook it. The only rule is that it has to be a balanced meal. Having some control about what they eat will make them a lot happier and it gives you a chance to really teach them about what makes a healthy meal.<br /><br />-Reward them with little coupons to change the veggie of the meal with the veggie of their choice. Maybe only give them one when they finish their whole meal in a timely matter without fuss. <br /><br />Also, keep in mind that you are in control and you can change the rules if they aren't working for your family. Maybe have a family meeting to talk about what rules the kids think are fair and what they think is "too hard." Just make it clear at the beginning of the meeting that nothing is going to change overnight but you and your boyfriend want to hear their opinions because what they think is very important to you.<br /><br />What I'm about to say is less helpful but I'll say it anyway. When I was 10, I didn't like veggies. I think it was just changes with my body but they did not taste good. Like, AT ALL. Lol. Being the stubborn girl I am, I hated when people made a big deal about it. I felt like I knew what tasted good and I didn't care what they felt. You still can't tell me something is good when I know I don't like it. The best thing my mom did to deal with me was to stop making it a big deal. She would just say, "This is dinner. You can eat it or not, but this is it." And she stuck to it. If I wanted more of something, I couldn't have it unless I ate everything on my plate but she didn't make a big deal about it. If I didn't eat it all, she's leave if for me in case I decided to so I could have treat or something but she didn't bug me about it. <br /><br />Sorry this is so long! I tried to keep it short! Anyway, I'm sure things will get better.Valeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08113892630300650956noreply@blogger.com