Please fill in the required fields.Thank you for suggesting a talk topic!
We appreciate your thoughts in making our community even better.
Log in with Facebook
Log in with Twitter
Sign up for The Motherhood
Your password needs to be 6 or more characters.
Already a Member? Log In
Log in with Facebook
Log in with Twitter
Log into The Motherhood
Not a Member? Sign Up
By clicking “Accept,” you acknowledge that you agree to The Motherhood's Terms of Service, Privacy and Copyright Policies.
can't believe how fast it goes
Let's talk about kids and food and the school year. School lunches, getting dinner on the table during our busy weeks, trying to eat healthily and with variety, etc. We have a fantastic group of mom bloggers hosting and look forward to a great, hands-on, helpful and inspiring conversation!!! Join us! And if you have some favorite recipes, stories, ideas, bring them!!!!!
-
Kids, School and Food
Oct 21, 2010 Thursday, 1:00pm EST - Add as Favorites
-
TALK HOSTS:
Category:HOME AND FOOD
-
- christina 16 comments
-
How does everyone deal with the picky eater phases? I find it frustrating when I hear parents say "oh my kid eats everything". REALLY?! I mean, with all that I've learned about food and even after making homemade baby food for my son and exposing him to all different flavors and textures, my son still will have his moments.
Learning to not get frustrated and stay the course is a challenge, even for me who supposedly knows better. Would love to hear others experiences/tips/advice. Thanks!
about 1 year ago
-
- kdc521 14 comments
-
I must say that for school lunches, those Americanized bento style lunch boxes have been SUCH a help this year. I'm no longer stuck in the sandwich rut. ("Rut" seems to be my word for the day!)
about 1 year ago
kdc521
Chefdruck, the only drawback is the size...it's larger than a standard lunchbox. My son's teacher didn't want my son bringing it at first, but I told him to have her talk to me about it if she had a problem with it. (She never did.) On another note, http://justbento.com/ also has some really great ideas for bento box meals...
about 1 year ago
Grace Hester
These are the blogs I follow that makes these muffin tin and bento meals that are so preeety, they have inspired me to do the same, http://happylittlebento.blogspot.com/ http://www.bentolunch.net http://www.aibento.net/ I also ordered some Easy Lunchboxes and can't wait to try them out! http://www.easylunchboxes.com?AFFID=39163 (This is an affiliate link)
about 1 year ago
Chefdruck
Kim - I've been wanting to get those Bento boxes - everything looks more fun in little containers.
about 1 year ago
One Hungry Mama
And... there's a great chips/dip lunch contained at pottery barn kids. I regularly pack hummus and veggies (makes veggies more exciting, fun to dip) and it's a great container for that.
about 1 year ago
One Hungry Mama
This is not a box suggestion, but LunchSkins have also been a lifesaver. No plastic baggies. Totally reusable. Dishwasher safe. Don't get grimy. LOVE!
about 1 year ago
christina
I statrted using them when my son was only 8 months old. Would prepare lunch for him so Grandma (who watches him while mama works) wouldn't have to worry about what to make.
about 1 year ago
christina
We LOOVE those!
about 1 year ago
JenniferPerillo
This is the bento box we use. They're available at WholeFoods or you can buy online. Pricey and a bit bulky, I must admit, but my daughter really loves it. http://www.laptoplunches.com/
about 1 year ago
Cooper
Oh, I love that you look at it like you need to make the contents of the containers fun and interesting. That is inspiration!!!!
about 1 year ago
kdc521
I reviewed one that I was gifted at a local event : Goodybyn (http://www.goodbyn.com). That's the one my son uses...love it. A nutritionist that I interviewed for another article also highly recommends the Bento boxes at www.laptoplunches.com.
about 1 year ago
JenniferPerillo
Yes Kim, the bento box has been a life-saver here too. It forces me to get creative and fill each section with something fun and interesting.
about 1 year ago
CookingwithZ
Love the bento boxes. They are so cute and organized and it forces me to be more creative with lunch ideas. Like veggies and dip.
about 1 year ago
Jennifer@Savor
Kim, how are you my friend? I bet your bento are great because you are so creative.
about 1 year ago
Cooper
Ohh, can you post a link to the boxes? I'd love to see!
about 1 year ago
Sign Up For Our Newsletter 
©The Motherhood 2012
christina
What I do is try and put at least one thing I know he will eat on the plate, along with the other, newer items I want him to try. this way, the whole plate wont be foreign and intimidating. If he absolutely refuses to eat anything (which is almost never), I offer him some fruit and send him on his merry way. Not sure what the others feel about this technique but it helps me feel confident about him going to sleep if he has at least something in his belly. if he refuses the fruit it means hes either teething or has a tummy ache or something else is going on. in that case, i dont push. its hard i know!
about 1 year agoGrace Hester
Some days, we have to make separate meals because of food allergies. We try to make it a one-meal dinner most days but I am interested in hearing what do you do when your child just refuses to eat the meal?
about 1 year agoDenise
This reminds me of when he was younger and we went through a month where he wouldn't eat anything but peas and milk for dinner. Lunch he ate normally. I was so freaked out that he wasn't getting enough of all the food groups. Then i realized - he's a healthy kid that probably ate better than a lot of kid sout there. Seriously, how many kids are addicted to peas??? So I figured there was worse phases we could be going through;)
about 1 year agochristina
CookingwithZ- I agree. the one thing I've never done was make two separate meals. That was a trend I was NOT willing to start. Could you imagine how exhausting that would be never mind how damaging it is to the process of teaching good eating habits.
about 1 year agoCooper
My 8 yo loves cucumber, cream cheese and bread so I thought FOR SURE he'd like a cucumber sandwich. Totally grossed him out. It is all in the presentation.
about 1 year agoOne Hungry Mama
Here here. Honestly, I know I sound like a broken record, but ease up and keep mealtime fun. Keep offering the healthy foods that you and the rest of the family enjoy eating. If kiddo (or kiddos) aren't into it, oh well. They will eat eventually. Promise your child won't starve. And, yes, my first was one of those annoying kids (still is) who eats everything. But, you know, I'm putting my money where my mouth is with #2, mr. i only like fruit. We just saw his pediatrician who reminded me (b/c I need reminders, too! :-) not to reward his refusal of veggies with more fruit and cheese just because fruit and cheese are healthy. I had a momentary lapse--but he's only 1, i don't want him to feel hungry--and she reminded me that it can take upwards of 13 tries to get little ones to accept new flavors! So, we're staying the course. And giving mealtime a lot of time. If we linger long enough, he starts to try things (sort of!).
about 1 year agochristina
Jen- I totally agree. I learned about looking at what they eat in a week and not in a day from Dr. T Berry Brazelton. it was fascinating and eye opening. I actually watched his show before I had kids and was so grateful that knowledge stuck in my head. But of course, in the heat of the moment Ive had memory loss and stressed about it. Guess its all about being a first time mama. So good to get validation from you ladies! Thank YOU!
about 1 year agoJenniferPerillo
Right on Mommiecooks. We have a one bite policy at our dinner table. You can't have an opinion about something if you haven't tried it.
about 1 year agoGina Rau
I have one of each - a picky eater who goes thru lots of phases and a child who's always eaten anything we give him. It's frustrating, for sure, but like Jennifer I look at their overall diet not just one or two meals. I make sure she gets what she needs one way or another. I also get creative like Chefdruck mentioned. Cookie cutter sandwiches, cutting up carrots to thin sticks, heatlhy dips like almond butter or hummus, etc. Makes a big difference for her.
about 1 year agoDenise
My son's phase in this has lasted 6 years (he's almost 7). In a lot of ways, he was easier to feed when he was younger. Now, he won't eat anything that he doesn't like the looks or smell of and if he sees any type of sauce, marinade, spice,etc he won't try it. Short of blindfolding him I'm at witt's end with this one.
about 1 year agoMyMcDonaldMeal
Very well said! Kids pick up on attitudes so easily. And- don't forget it's about role modeling too! If you or your partner are more willing to try new foods too then they most likely will follow. -- Someday. :)
about 1 year agoCooper
Oh that is so GREAT! Yes, we went through years of the noodles w/ butter 24/7 phase. Great advice!
about 1 year agoMommiecooks
In our house dinner is the one meal that I make what I make and everyone needs to try a bite. they don't have to eat it, but they have to try it. Sometimes they surprise themselves and like something they didn't think they would and other times it's not their thing. It's really helped them to expand their palates more than they would otherwise.
about 1 year agoCookingwithZ
My 4 yo has been going through that and it's really frustrating. I try to keep offering her a variety of foods. We sit down to dinner and she eats (or needs to eat) what we are all having. I don't make her special food. It also helps her try new things when she participates in the making of the food. Another trick i use is to try to make things fun. Vegetables with dip or veggie skewers, sandwiches cut out in fun shapes with cookie cutters etc.
about 1 year agoChefdruck
I just posted today about my kids' deeply suspicious greetings to any new foods I introduce: http://www.chefdruck.com/2010/10/bacon-crusted-pork-tenderloin-to-woo.html. I deal with it like a politician - with marketing words (princess fish instead of salmon) and familiar flavorings (bacon, honey, and cheese). But the most important thing I've found is to serve them with an enthusiastic smile instead of a defensive response to their negativity.
about 1 year agoJenniferPerillo
Christina, they ALL go through phases. Personally, I don't stress if my girls don't eat 3 to 5 servings of veggies/fruit a day. I look at the week as whole, and aim to have it be a balanced one. Also try to find the good foods they do like. Who cares if you feel like you're in a rut, as long as they are happy and getting all their nutrients.
about 1 year ago