Fighting the Fussy Eater
For dinner, I browned some ground beef, threw in some Rotel with lime and cilantro, put it in a deep casserole dish, topped it with shredded cheddar and then, a layer of cornbread mix. I baked it in the oven and tried to decide what to call it. I went with Mexican Shepherd’s Pie. And then I panicked and called it tamale pie because it was kind of close to a tamale pie recipe. I also baked an apple pie because after my day yesterday, I am the happy homemaker.
Yesterday, since you asked, I took a vacation day and cleaned, shopped and puttered about the house. I did a trillion loads of laundry and even mopped the floors. I removed cobwebs, dudes. It was a full day and I loved it.
The girl, when I put her plate of delicious food before her, made a FACE. You know the face. I knew she would put up a fuss, but I said, as I always do, just eat it. It’s really all my fault. When she was young and I worked too much and far away from home, I didn’t want to deal with the tantrums and so spoiled her by throwing together a different dinner for her (something she would eat) while cooking dinner for the rest of the family. Every night. I was stupid and I know better. But I did it, and it has taken years to undo. She eats much better than she used to — sometimes she just swallows bites whole with a milk chaser — but there are still times when I question my ability to provide my family food that is edible. No, I’m not a great cook — I’m a survival cook most of the time, but I DO cook, nearly every night. So don’t give me that FACE.
How have you dealt with the fussy eaters in your house? Made any mistakes you wish you could undo?
December 12th, 2007 at 3:07 am
I really wish we had not run a cafeteria when our girls were younger and that we had just made them eat what we ate. We’ve made huge improvements in the past two years, but have a long way to go.
It could just be that our girls are just as picky as I was at their age and that they’ll grow out of this when they’re older.
So in the meantime, I always fix at least two things that everyone likes and everyone has to try a little of everything. Clean plates are not required, but it also known that trips to the fridge for alternate foods are not allowed.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:41 am
I’m new. I love your blog mainly because I live in your neighborhood and I’m a workin’ mom too.
Anyhoo, my six year old is veddy picky. Much of the motivation to eat comes from my husband, (”You are gonna eat that, mister!”). I realize he’s still at the age where he can be bullied, but my motivation is the big picture. His tastes will change. My 11 year old son is proof of that.
I will have to try that recipe. It sounds pretty good and quick!
December 12th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Whoa — a neighbor! Welcome to the blog and say hi if you see me up by the school some time.
For some reason my 17 year old will eat everything even if he doesn’t like it. I suppose we intimidated him into that when he was younger but he does say that once he leaves home, he’ll never eat another vegetable.
December 12th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Advice from a Picky Eater:
You’ll just have to wait until she moves out.
In the mean time, don’t be offended by her pickiness. And try not to worry about it too much.
As a mom, there’s really nothing you can do about it. At this point, there are only two things that can sway her tastes in food: her friends and the right boy.
I’m 29 and still trying to reform my picky ways. It’s a daily struggle.
December 13th, 2007 at 10:56 am
I love it, Marijean!! We used to do that for Joshua, but not anymore…now when we cook something he doesn’t like, in a very melancholy voice he answers, “ohhh….do I like this??” We just tell him he did when he was little, and he is okay…either that or we give him a bottle of ketchup! He puts it on EVERYTHING!!!
I love reading your site - probably once a week.
December 13th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
I’m dealing with a 2 year old picky eater. She won’t eat anything healthy, aside from an occational banana and some dried fruit. She loves carbs and peanut butter. I really try hard not to be the short order cook, but it’s so hard to feed the kids ‘dad’s dinner’ when dad doesn’t get home until 7pm (almost bedtime)!
December 15th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Great blog!
My kids eat just about everything, they each have one thing they don’t like my eldest hates chickpeas and the youngest all things flesh including fish. I think they enjoy eating because they have been in the kitchen with me cooking from birth till now. Try and involve your lil princess in the cooking process she will be so proud that she “fixed dinner”.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:23 am
My six year old complains when we have pizza! He’s not normal.