Eating at our house has been one of the greatest sources of contention between us parents and the girls. It's pretty much a constant battle to get them to even try most things. I heard an idea and thought we had to give it a try. So, we sat down and the girls each got to pick 3 foods that they DO NOT eat. This means that if we are having any of these foods they are not required to eat, taste or even have the food on their plate. However, if the food we are eating is NOT on their list they are required to taste. If there is resistance they are offered the option of trading the food for something on their list.
Anyway, I thought it sounded great and that it might help eliminate all of the stress of trying to get them to taste new foods. I was a bit concerned about what they would put on their list but figured we would at least give it a try.
So, what's on their list? Well, here is daughter #1's list:
1. Broccoli
2. Dumplings
3. Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Here is daughter #2's list:
1. Leaves (known to most as lettuce)
2. Pizza
3. Chicken Nuggetts
At first glance you might think they did not understand the assignment. What kids do not eat PB&J, pizza and nuggets? MINE!! Yeah, it's hillarious. "If you don't eat that chicken and rice you are going to get a peanut butter and jelly sandwich." You would think it was torture to a 5 year old. Or how about this, "If you don't eat your steak you will get some chicken nuggets." Then the 3 year old promplty puts it in her mouth and tastes it.
It seriously cracks us up at the table and we have to keep a straight face when we say these things to them. The best part of the whole thing is that it has worked WELL! When there is resistance about eating everyone knows the 1 and only option -- trade it for something on your list. It really has taken the battle of dinner off the table! HOORRAY!! I'm sure it won't last forever but we are loving it right now.
UPDATE: As noted by Linnea in my comments, we may need to allow the girls to update their lists periodically. Funny thing is, we have. The first list used to have leaves on it as well. One night a friend had brought us dinner and specifically made PB&J sandwiches for the kids because she figured they wouldn't eat the other food. She was right...and wrong. They wouldn't eat the dinner and the oldest wouldn't eat the sandwich either. She begged to not eat it and wanted it on her list. She asked us if she could take leaves off and put PB&J sandwich on. We told her yes if she ate a bunch of leaves...so she did! Now she loves leaves (or lettuce). How funny is that, trading leaves so that you don't have to eat PB&J. CRAZY!!
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4 comments:
I love this plan! I think it will work as long as every once in a while they have an opportunity to adjust their list. I know that a couple of my kids hate certain foods and I gave up a long time ago making them eat them: Eva hates tortillas and Ethan hates pasta.
okay this is just too funny. I guess I am pretty lucky that my kid isn't too picky. I love this solution, and will bank it in my memory for future kids.
What a great idea! Dinner time has become horrible! Preston will not try anything new and won't even eat something I know he loves if it looks the tiniest bit different! Charley of course follows his lead and she used to eat anything now if Preston doesn't try it she won't either.
I love your update! Whatever works, I say. I remember telling my kids that they HAD to have peanut butter and to stay out of the sliced turkey....then I listened to myself and realized how foolish I was being.....turkey is so much healthier than peanut butter. I had to change my thought process and give more thought to what they wanted and what I thought they wanted.
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