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missliss
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/10 648 total posts
Name:
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Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
I was looking at the Weekly Menu threads and everything looks SO amazing! I have been cooking "kid friendly" dinners, for the most part, & DH & I eat that stuff as well. Your menus have really inspired me. My question is, do your kids eat the meals listed, or do you cook separately for them?
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Posted 4/24/12 10:33 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
I don't post my menu but DS (4) does eat some "grown-up" foods.
I start with something he likes and just add to it.
Ex: He eats meatballs and pasta (plain). When I make meat sauce I leave some pieces bigger and tell him they are meat balls. Last time we had meat sauce, I just said this is meat sauce- its the same as meatballs only smaller. He got a spoon and ate them fine. Maybe one day he'll try sauce  
Another time I was in the supermarket and wanted fish for dinner. I looked at the fish and saw scallops. They looked like the same size as chicken nuggets. I told DS we were having "fish nuggets" for dinner. He helped me bread them and then I fried them. We did that a few times, they had them scampi style. Then we moved on to other fishes.
I like edamame. I told him its like the inside of the greenbeans only BIGGER! He eats them now.
I rename some things for him so he can relate better - croutons are crunchy bread; dried cranberries are red raisons.
I also get him involved in the cooking. He has his own tools and really gets excited to eat something he helped make.
ETA - for sauces, I give him "dip". Sometimes if he doesn't like it, he'll put ketchup on it and he's fine. Then he'll take a few bites and forget to put ketchup on and still eats it.
We also make yummy noises when we eat. And sometimes I bribe him with pudding 
Message edited 4/25/2012 8:59:53 AM.
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| Posted 4/25/12 8:56 AM |
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rkl1130
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 1476 total posts
Name:
Rose Ann
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
I don't post my menus (I work full time, so we don't cook everyday anyway), but DD pretty much eats whatever we eat. She's 19 months now and if we're having something that I don't think she'll like, I'll just modify some of it for her. However, I always keep some kid-friendly food in the freezer just in case.
Like the other poster mentioned, I'll rename food to make it more enticing for her and we make yummy noises when we eat too. If worse comes to worse, we give her ketchup to dip food in because she LOVES ketchup and will eat just about anything with it.
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| Posted 4/25/12 9:07 AM |
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rojerono
Happiest.
Member since 8/06 13803 total posts
Name:
Jeannie
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
"I don't run a diner."
My mother said this to us while we were growing up. I say the same to my kids. They are asked to eat the same meals that I cook.. but I'm not completely unreasonable. They must TRY the food (and by try I do not mean they take the tiniest edge of whatever I've made and lick it.. they have to take a bite or a mouthful, chew and swallow). If they really don't like it, I won't force them to eat it.
I'm lucky that my kids both seem to have pretty good palates - but I accept some credit for that because I have always given them a variety of different foods from the time they were weaned. I have worked hard to expose them to a variety of foods from different places and cultures since they were small. They didn't get that baby cereal and I didn't give too much jar food.. they ate what I ate but modified for little stomachs and minimal teeth! LOL They have gone through picky phases.. but the rule still stays in effect with regard to trying things.
They've been cooking with me since they were little. I think helping to prepare the food opens them up to eating it. They also take a lot of pride in the fact that they have tried stuff that most adults have never tried. For us it is in the way I present things.
I have made things that I know one or both of them does not like. I usually try to make the other components of the meal something they enjoy. For example.. Robbie does not like meatloaf with red sauce. When I make it in that fashion, I will also prepare green beans and mashed potatoes (which he does like). His dinner will be green beans and mashed potatoes and a cottage cheese for protein. If they try something and don't like it.. I make sure they get a piece of fruit or a Greek yogurt or something. They know they aren't going to get a 'treat' for not eating dinner - I'm not going to make a hamburger or take them to the pizza parlor.. so there is no motivation for them to not try.
Message edited 4/25/2012 10:33:59 AM.
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| Posted 4/25/12 10:32 AM |
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hunnybunnyxoxo
this is what it's all about
Member since 11/07 3321 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
i have a 3 year old and a 9month old. i work full time and get home around 7:15/7:30.
i cook from the ground up and avoid premade processed foods at all costs.
we normally eat around 8:30pm. my dd ( my 3year old) eats what we eat, no exceptions.
everything i make is pretty much family friendly. i try to make the menu for the week as fresh and exciting as possible so that we dont get bored.
dd loves chinese food, so i make a stir fry about twice a month.
i would love to try to make more sides but with my schedule , it is just not feasible. i tyr to make sure my main entree has veggies in it.
i hate that we eat so late but there is nothing i can do to change that.
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| Posted 4/25/12 11:30 AM |
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Domino
Always My Miracle
Member since 9/05 9923 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
I do not make special food for 2 1/2 DS. He gets a little of everything and he eats what he eats. There are sometimes he pitches a fit and wont touch a thing. Those nights he gets a yogurt or fruit close to bedtime so he doesnt go to sleep hungry (but not close enough to the end of dinner that he thinks he "held out for it". But as PP stated, I am not running a diner and I do not approve of giving alternatives at dinner time (he gets a choice at breakfast and lunchtime). When we eat at my mom's occasionally she is big into "Oh you wont eat here have some pudding" It absolutely infuriates me.
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| Posted 4/25/12 1:34 PM |
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Carolyn
.....
Member since 5/07 5351 total posts
Name:
Twin mommy
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
I have 2.5 year old twins. 90% of the time they eat what we eat for dinner. If they refuse it without trying it, I will offer yogurt as an alternative and THAT'S IT. There are a few dishes I make that they don't like or can't eat for whatever reason, so in that event I'll usually make an alternative protein, for example, but serve them the rest of the meal.
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| Posted 4/25/12 4:30 PM |
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Most of the time they eat what we eat. My DD eats everything, my DS is more picky. Sometimes I make him something else, or I heat up leftovers from a meal he liked.
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| Posted 4/25/12 6:40 PM |
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Posted by rojerono
"I don't run a diner."
My mother said this to us while we were growing up. I say the same to my kids. They are asked to eat the same meals that I cook.. but I'm not completely unreasonable. They must TRY the food (and by try I do not mean they take the tiniest edge of whatever I've made and lick it.. they have to take a bite or a mouthful, chew and swallow). If they really don't like it, I won't force them to eat it.
I'm lucky that my kids both seem to have pretty good palates - but I accept some credit for that because I have always given them a variety of different foods from the time they were weaned. I have worked hard to expose them to a variety of foods from different places and cultures since they were small. They didn't get that baby cereal and I didn't give too much jar food.. they ate what I ate but modified for little stomachs and minimal teeth! LOL They have gone through picky phases.. but the rule still stays in effect with regard to trying things.
They've been cooking with me since they were little. I think helping to prepare the food opens them up to eating it. They also take a lot of pride in the fact that they have tried stuff that most adults have never tried. For us it is in the way I present things.
I have made things that I know one or both of them does not like. I usually try to make the other components of the meal something they enjoy. For example.. Robbie does not like meatloaf with red sauce. When I make it in that fashion, I will also prepare green beans and mashed potatoes (which he does like). His dinner will be green beans and mashed potatoes and a cottage cheese for protein. If they try something and don't like it.. I make sure they get a piece of fruit or a Greek yogurt or something. They know they aren't going to get a 'treat' for not eating dinner - I'm not going to make a hamburger or take them to the pizza parlor.. so there is no motivation for them to not try.
My son is only 6 months but I hope to do the same with him.
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| Posted 4/25/12 8:33 PM |
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DRMom
Two in Blue
Member since 5/05 20223 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Posted by Carolyn
I have 2.5 year old twins. 90% of the time they eat what we eat for dinner. If they refuse it without trying it, I will offer yogurt as an alternative and THAT'S IT. There are a few dishes I make that they don't like or can't eat for whatever reason, so in that event I'll usually make an alternative protein, for example, but serve them the rest of the meal.
I also offer yogurt. My kids usually eat around 6:30. We don't eat until after they go to bed. We have always been late eaters. I also feed them mostly organic and grass fed, which I can't necessarily afford to do for all of us daily.
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| Posted 4/26/12 9:52 AM |
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charon54
My two boys!
Member since 5/05 7279 total posts
Name:
Rebecca
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
We usually make DS something of his own (2 years old). He is a really picky eater, so it's usually a rotation of chicken nuggets and meatballs. He eats pasta when we have it, and any kind of chicken I make, he has some of that. He won't eat steak. We don't eat fish. He will eat fish sticks every once in a while and hot dogs too.
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| Posted 4/26/12 11:57 AM |
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shapla79
Where Does The Time Go?
Member since 11/07 4619 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Posted by rojerono
"I don't run a diner."
DD is 2.5 and DS is 4. I don't go out of my way to cook anything different for them. They either eat what we eat or have fruit and yogurt instead. DS is a fantastic eater and will eat what I put in front of him most of the time, but DD is pickier. She prefers to eat vegetables, cheese and carbs (not a big meat eater).
I participate in a CSA every year, and my kids love to pick up vegetables. I think that's why DD loves veggies so much. They also watch me cook and take an interest in what happens when food goes from the box from the farm to our table.
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| Posted 4/26/12 12:26 PM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
My kids are not good eaters. What they do eat is healthy, but I usually cannot serve them the same foods we eat - for example they hate red sauce, so when we have pasta they eat it plain with butter. My DS won't touch food that has spices on it, so I make him plain chicken. It's not that hard - I just prepare the same food two different ways.
I tried the whole "you eat this or get nothing" and I got sick and tired of wasting food. At least this way I know they will eat. If they don't eat what I have prepared separately for them, they can have yogurt or cereal or go hungry.
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| Posted 4/26/12 12:50 PM |
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babydreams
YUMMM
Member since 5/06 1687 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
My kids eat what we eat. DS is 4 and DD is 2. I have very good eaters. I will say that dinner is their worst meal in terms of hunger, but they still have to eat what we eat. I do NOT make them another meal. There are nights though that DH and I will make them something quick, like ravioli and eat later. Sometimes it is due to scheduling and sometimes it is because we just need a quiet dinner.
You can find a lot of my recipes on my blog here. Dinner for the Working Mommy
Message edited 4/26/2012 7:02:24 PM.
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| Posted 4/26/12 6:59 PM |
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missliss
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/10 648 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Thank you for all of your responses. I forgot to mention, my boys are 2 & 4; LB, I remember being on the pregnancy board with you...
The more I think about it and what my friends' kids eat, maybe my guys eat ok. They are willing to try things from our plates. I am inspired to try things beyond meatballs, meatloaf, boboli pizza & breaded/baked chicken & pork (that they both think is chicken)! Thanks again!
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| Posted 4/26/12 9:16 PM |
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NewlyMrs
Laugh-Live-Love LIFE!
Member since 10/06 14432 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
I too & not a short order cook. My kids have to at least try what I made. I will make some alterations (spice level, no sauce on some things, a veggie they do like)
Overall they are pretty good & eat a pretty wide variety (4 & 19months)
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| Posted 4/26/12 11:17 PM |
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A3CM
Avatar Title
Member since 9/08 3762 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
i feel like i am a short order cook, but my situation is different.. DS has a TON of visual and texture issues (he is a spectrum child) he is almost 5. he can now tolerate seeing other food on the table besides his own.
DD who is almost 3, will eat for the most part what we eat, but i am starting to notice texture issues with us to the point where she will throw up and or gag if i have her eat something we are eating and the texture isn't right...
any kind of pasta, she chokes and gags and vomits on, smells of food make her vomit (ketchup esp)
my mother made me a separate meal, so i guess i am just used to it
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| Posted 4/27/12 7:51 AM |
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Carolyn
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Member since 5/07 5351 total posts
Name:
Twin mommy
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Posted by missliss
Thank you for all of your responses. I forgot to mention, my boys are 2 & 4; LB, I remember being on the pregnancy board with you...
The more I think about it and what my friends' kids eat, maybe my guys eat ok. They are willing to try things from our plates. I am inspired to try things beyond meatballs, meatloaf, boboli pizza & breaded/baked chicken & pork (that they both think is chicken)! Thanks again!
I also notice that when we eat together as a family or even if at least one of us is eating with the kids, they are SO much more likely to eat what we are eating. A lot of times if I try to offer something new and it's just the kids eating, they'll refuse. But if we are all eating it they will try it. It's so annoying LOL
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| Posted 4/27/12 2:40 PM |
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nancy6485
So in love
Member since 10/05 3363 total posts
Name:
Nancy
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Posted by NewlyMrs
I too & not a short order cook. My kids have to at least try what I made. I will make some alterations (spice level, no sauce on some things, a veggie they do like)
This! I will not cook a separate meal for DS and haven't for a very long time, he has to at least TRY it and 9/10 he is suprised and likes it. He eats very well beccause of that & is open to anything. We eat as a family and everyone gets the same, always.
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| Posted 4/27/12 3:27 PM |
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missliss
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/10 648 total posts
Name:
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Re: Ladies Who Post Menus & Have Kids
Posted by Carolyn
I also notice that when we eat together as a family or even if at least one of us is eating with the kids, they are SO much more likely to eat what we are eating. A lot of times if I try to offer something new and it's just the kids eating, they'll refuse. But if we are all eating it they will try it. It's so annoying LOL
I totally noticed the same thing!!!
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| Posted 4/27/12 4:17 PM |
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