Fussy Eaters Part 3

Sometimes to get out of eating your healthy dinner your child might try the, "I'm not hungry" routine. If this is occurring nightly and your child's not sick, find out what they're eating for snacks. To curb this, cut down on snacking, and have the "home snack bar" close at 4 p.m. (depending on when you serve dinner.)

Growing up my mother was strict, but fair when it came to food. She realized there are just some foods children don't like. Each one of my sibling and I were allowed to pick one food we didn't like which we didn't have to eat. (She also tacked on lima beans and liver since she didn't like these foods herself.) I picked pea soup, but I made a case that since pea soup was made from peas I shouldn't have to eat peas either. I never had to eat peas. Now of course I tried them, which is why I gave them two thumbs down. You can try this idea in your family.

Please don't have the rule that unless your child cleans their plate they can't leave the table. Growing up my brother didn't like two vegetables. Green beans and something else. My father said he couldn't be excused until he finished all his green beans. My mom's "at least have a few" idea was put down. In order that my brother could leave the table I recall at least twice secretly eating his green beans, which I wasn't crazy about either. The point is, don't make eating an unpleasant task. Food should not be forced down unhappily. Eating should be something we enjoy. Not a bad memory.

Fussy Eaters Part 2

Does your child routinely crosses their arms and say, "Yuck!" to what you made for breakfast, lunch or dinner? If so, then have a rule. You made what you made and that's it. You're home is not a restaurant, with a menu full of meals that can be served on a whim. Your child can have the food you made or not. Just make sure you serve healthy meals. And that you try to take into consideration what they like and dislike. (I can see a child saying yuck to being served liver and yams every night. Have variety.) You can't make you're child eat. But if they leave the table hungry, their food will be in the refrigerator if they get hungry. Or they can wait for the next meal. Remember your child is not in a third world country, starving. Remember this when they're moaning that you're not being a good parent and feeding them. You are feeding them. Just not the foods they want, like potatoe chips, pop corn or candy. Kids will push. Once you give in and let your child start eating cereal every night for dinner while the rest of the family eats a regular meal, it will be hard to stop. Plus, at other people's houses it's rude to say, "Ewe! I don't like your pork chops. I hate potatoes. And your fruit. Can I have a bowl of cereal instead?" I've seen it happen. I said no. The child ate what I served. The child's mother was amazed. Why should she be amazed? She can say no, too. Your child will eat something you serve, even a little, if hungry enough.

Movie Review: The Lion King

Movie Title: The Lion King. Animation film with music. Rated G. A classic film. Terrific music. Two paws up. This is a film adults will like as much as kids. Little boys will especially like this film. A lion cub, Simba, is next in line to become king. But his uncle, Scar, wants to rule. Scar gets some hyenas to join him in his plan to get rid of his brother, the king. Scar takes Simba to a place where a stampede will soon happen. Simba's father comes to save him. He succeeds but he dies himself. Scar helped cause his death, but mean Scar lets Simba take the blame. The cub runs away in shame. He meets two friends, Timon and Pumbaa who take care of him. (These are two of my favorite characters.) They provide comical relief in the story. Meanwhile Scar rules in his brother's stead, until Simba comes home to claim his throne.

How to Deal with Kids who are Fussy Eaters, Part 1

Part 1 of 3 Parts on Kids and Eating.
Does your child scrunch up his or her face, pull back their chair and refuse to eat what you have served them? If so, stop letting them get away with it. I'll be blunt. Do you think a child who is desperately poor, who hasn't had a descent meal in who knows how long, would stick up their nose at the pot roast you are serving? Your child can choose the food they want to eat, or not, because they have enough to choose from. Trust me, if your child hadn't eaten in five days that container filled with tomato soup in your frig might look edible now. But luckily if you live in the U.S., your child shouldn't ever be in that fix!

I knew a boy who hated vegetables. He would eat fruit, hamburgers, pizza, nuts, etc. just not plain vegetables. When he thought he could get away with it he would put the offending vegetables in his napkin, pretend he had to go the bathroom and flush them down the toilet, or hide them under the trash in the trash bin. His mother asked his doctor what to do. (You can ask your own family doctor what to do for your child. There are vegetable and fruit supplements. Ask about them. However, this does not make up for having the real thing. It's in addition to.) The boy's doctor said, keep giving him fruits and find ways to make the vegetables palatable. He also pointed out the boy liked pizza. And that pizza has tomato sauce on it which is a crushed vegetable. I can't say I recommend giving your child carry-out pizza, but how about making a pizza at home with fresh tomatoes and olives? Or putting a sliced tomato on a homemade hamburger? As a "not so keen on vegetables person" myself, I like grilled vegetables, and vegetables cooked in olive oil in a frying pan. I also like raw vegetables with humus. The humus makes the vegetables more appetizing. If your child doesn't like a particle vegetable try another. I know a boy who says he hates all vegetables but mild big red peppers. You can try slicing up a big red pepper (not the spicy pepper) and serving it with a healthy dip or ranch dressing.

Book Review: Five Minutes’ Peace

Five Minutes’ Peace by Jill Murphy. Very cute picture book, moms and kids can relate to. An elephant, aptly named Mrs. Large, just wants five minutes peace away from her children. She goes and takes a restful bath. Soon after her children join her in the bathroom. It’s a short book which is great for a night time read. The pictures of the elephants are adorable. For Mother’s Day this book can be a gift idea for moms who’ve mentioned whenever they take a shower or use the bathroom their child suddenly needs them.

Keep Berries Fresh Longer

If you put fresh strawberries (or other berries) in a plastic container in frig, keep moisture down by putting a paper towel underneath strawberries and over them. Keep plastic lid on tight.

Movie Review: Back to the Future 3

Movie Title: Back to the Future 3. Rated PG. Engaging movie. Marty goes to back in time to the Old West. He gets on the bad side of a bad tempered ruffian. The ruffian challenges Marty to a duel. Marty agrees and makes the duel time right after breakfast. He thinks this will give Doc enough time to get the Dolorin (car) fixed so they can be out of there before the dual can happen. Meanwhile Doc falls in love. But can love last when you are born in different centuries? I thought this movie was better than part II.