What is your household rule on meals?

[cmy3kids]

I've really noticed lately that a lot of other families that I know (either relatives or friends) cater to their children when it comes to eating food at meal times. Our household rule is... "You must eat what is placed before you. If it is something new, you must try it before you say you don't like it." and "You must finish your meal completely or there is no treat or dessert!" Both my DH and I hold true to these household rules... there is NO exceptions!

What is your household rule on this?

[luvinmommylife]

Jul. 12, 2007 at 1:35 AM Our dd is 2 1/2; she's SO picky! lol But, our rules are similar to yours, she must at least try it. If she doesn't eat it, we save it and she has it for lunch the next day, but there's no dessert.  I'm an "All Night Diner" for our almost 8 month old son, but I refuse to make separate meals to eat. 

[kirsten1]

Jul. 12, 2007 at 2:41 AM

    My kids have to eat before dessert... if they don't like what I cook then they know where the PB&J is. LOL

 It's not that often that they won't eat what I cook... sometimes we have a free for all night... ( not during school) everyone eats whatever they find...

[partyofsix]

Jul. 12, 2007 at 3:26 AM

You eat what is fixed; I don't run a short order kitchen is what I tell mine!! Sometimes they groan when they find out what is being cooked (my son hates Spaghetti, my daughters hate corn) but they always eat!!

[INDIANAMOM]

Jul. 12, 2007 at 7:34 AM

I have never made a special meal for anyone!  When I cook I do know there are certain things the kids don't like.  One of mine dosen't like canned fish (tuna or salmon) and another dosen't like white beans.  They will eat everything else we eat so I don't think that's too bad.  Mine weren't ever given the option for another choice, even when they were young we didn't have baby food, they just ate what we had mashed up. 

This can go very wrong if you let them choose what they will eat, my little brother is 28 & will still only eat about 6 things!

[SGross215]

Jul. 12, 2007 at 9:06 AM I only make one meal. You either eat it or go hungry. And if it doesn't get eaten then there is definately no dessert or snacking.

[momneedscoffee]

Jul. 12, 2007 at 10:24 AM

It is funny that you bring this up...I was just thinking about this the other day!  When my two oldest were younger we had the rules just like you....they must eat what is made with NO exceptions and they must finish their food on their plates or NO dessert!  We were very strict with them when they were younger. 

Now fast forward to our 4yo Zachary....TOTALLY different story!  We've softened up in our old age I guess.  If I make something for dinner that I know he does not like I will make him some PB&J or something else that I know he will eat.  Funny how time has changed! 

We have let so much more slide with this child than with the older two....and it shows!!  I do believe part of is just his personality...very strong willed!  But a bigger part is that we let him get away with a lot more than the older two. 

We've made our mistake and it's way past time to make some changes around here!

[magdeline48]

Jul. 12, 2007 at 8:12 PM I include my son  in the planning of the meals. I ask him what he wants and we decide together. also..we have one important rule at dinner time. There is no tv or radio on. We sit at the table as a family...even if there is only two of us. We then pick two proverbs and discuss them. No one leaves the table until we have discussed them(and eaten our food) I really believe in dinner time being family time. Even though I home school Nick and we are together alot it is important to me that we share our meals(mainly dinner) togethter!!!!! Oh and I also require that he either help set the table or help with the dishes. He is 8 years old and not too young to learn the value of team work!!

[naturemom27]

Jul. 14, 2007 at 1:16 AM OUR FAMILY RULE:  "YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND DON"T THROW A FIT"   Not going to let them go hungry, bc there is always pbj but guess what, they know they will still have to eat the veggies.  OF course, my kids love to eat veggies, but that is beside the point.

[MamaOfB]

Jul. 16, 2007 at 3:42 PM My son is super picky (that goes along with SPD) so most meals he eats Chicken Tenders (one certain brand only).  He also eats fruits if they are pureed or freeze dried.  Sometimes he'll decide to boycott an otherwise acceptable food.  Our rule then is that he must have a "no thank you" portion. A "no thank you" portion is one bite of an undesired food for every year of a child's age.  He's two, so he gets two bites of whatever he's trying to refuse.