You must live under a rock if you have not heard about Deceptively Delicious, the new book by Jessica Seinfield, wife to Jerry. The book is all about hiding vegetables in food when your children won't eat a veggie to save their life. I'm lucky in that Michael loves vegetables. He will snack on raw carrots, cucumbers, celery, and tomatoes. I need something that can teach me how to hide protein sources.
There are meals I don't even give him a vegetable because I know he will only eat them. We have tried everything. Peanut butter on celery, cheese melted on vegetables. He rejects all meat, will eat a chicken nugget only if it is in dinosaur form, and would live on eggs as his only protein if I let him.
Like most kids he goes through eating phases, Recently we went to a local Mexican joint and Michael refused to eat his kids quesadilla but downed Doug's spicy chicken burrito. Fried calamari is a restaurant favorite. Put hummus on anything and he loves it. If I serve him something for dinner he better not see it again for weeks, this kid won't eat anything that could possibly be a leftover.
I hear you asking yourself, you make two dinners every night? Yes. And no, we don't have family dinner most nights. I know, bad mom. Doug gets home too late and Michael asks for dinner at 4:30. So Michael eats between 4:30 and 5:00 and I sit with him. Then, Doug gets home and puts him to bed and we eat dinner after that. It works for us even though I know it is not ideal. Ideal would be smiling family sitting around the table and no one jumping up and down and feeding their dinner to the dog. Instead I get peace and quiet and some conversation with my husband. And no constant, "Michael just taste the fish stick."
There was an article about not having family dinner in the Washington Post this week. Be sure to read the comments. I'm not so sure why everyone gets up in arms about how other people run their lives and their family. If it works for them, who cares? I'm sure we will have family dinner when Michael gets older but right now he is too young to wait until 6:30 to eat when Daddy gets home and if I let him snack he doesn't eat dinner. And I enjoy my alone time with my husband. Am I not teaching Michael that meal times are a time for conversation and bonding? Maybe not. But I'm teaching him Mommy and Daddy need to connect, which I also believe is important.
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Oh we have the protein problem too. She loves fruits and veggies but won’t really eat meat!!! Won’t even eat Peanut Butter…. Oh and lovesssss hummus, which in my culture is a staple of course… I have no advice- which I did… I guess they are typical toddlers who are picky about their food… As for dinner time, Isabella always eats earlier and most of the time its just me and her anyway.. I don’t pay attention to what other sources label as ” ideal” Ideal to me is what works for my family. And ditto your case…
As for Jessica Seinfeld, its a cute idea. But not needed for us right now.
Oh we have the protein problem too. She loves fruits and veggies but won’t really eat meat!!! Won’t even eat Peanut Butter…. Oh and lovesssss hummus, which in my culture is a staple of course… I have no advice- which I did… I guess they are typical toddlers who are picky about their food… As for dinner time, Isabella always eats earlier and most of the time its just me and her anyway.. I don’t pay attention to what other sources label as ” ideal” Ideal to me is what works for my family. And ditto your case…
As for Jessica Seinfeld, its a cute idea. But not needed for us right now.
Oh we have the protein problem too. She loves fruits and veggies but won’t really eat meat!!! Won’t even eat Peanut Butter…. Oh and lovesssss hummus, which in my culture is a staple of course… I have no advice- which I did… I guess they are typical toddlers who are picky about their food… As for dinner time, Isabella always eats earlier and most of the time its just me and her anyway.. I don’t pay attention to what other sources label as ” ideal” Ideal to me is what works for my family. And ditto your case…
As for Jessica Seinfeld, its a cute idea. But not needed for us right now.
Oh we have the protein problem too. She loves fruits and veggies but won’t really eat meat!!! Won’t even eat Peanut Butter…. Oh and lovesssss hummus, which in my culture is a staple of course… I have no advice- which I did… I guess they are typical toddlers who are picky about their food… As for dinner time, Isabella always eats earlier and most of the time its just me and her anyway.. I don’t pay attention to what other sources label as ” ideal” Ideal to me is what works for my family. And ditto your case…
As for Jessica Seinfeld, its a cute idea. But not needed for us right now.
My son can be the same way — we laughed recently when we served both kids fish and potatoes. One ate only the fish and left the potatoes,and the other did exactly the opposite.
Hummus = protein, so that’s good!
My son can be the same way — we laughed recently when we served both kids fish and potatoes. One ate only the fish and left the potatoes,and the other did exactly the opposite.
Hummus = protein, so that’s good!
My son can be the same way — we laughed recently when we served both kids fish and potatoes. One ate only the fish and left the potatoes,and the other did exactly the opposite.
Hummus = protein, so that’s good!
My son can be the same way — we laughed recently when we served both kids fish and potatoes. One ate only the fish and left the potatoes,and the other did exactly the opposite.
Hummus = protein, so that’s good!
Although I’m sure my outlook on ALL things will shift when I pop out a kiddo, I hope to do like you do, make my time with Mike a priority, as I think that will teach our kid more than any other lesson we could try to impart.
I also don’t understand why so many people become obsessed about how others conduct their families. No two families are the same.
Although I’m sure my outlook on ALL things will shift when I pop out a kiddo, I hope to do like you do, make my time with Mike a priority, as I think that will teach our kid more than any other lesson we could try to impart.
I also don’t understand why so many people become obsessed about how others conduct their families. No two families are the same.
Although I’m sure my outlook on ALL things will shift when I pop out a kiddo, I hope to do like you do, make my time with Mike a priority, as I think that will teach our kid more than any other lesson we could try to impart.
I also don’t understand why so many people become obsessed about how others conduct their families. No two families are the same.
Although I’m sure my outlook on ALL things will shift when I pop out a kiddo, I hope to do like you do, make my time with Mike a priority, as I think that will teach our kid more than any other lesson we could try to impart.
I also don’t understand why so many people become obsessed about how others conduct their families. No two families are the same.
I think we have the exact opposite problem. Mimi loves all meat/protein but will not eat any fruit (not even juice). We’ve tried them all… I discovered that there is vitamin C in Cheerios though, so I guess we’ll be feeding her those during cold and flu season.
I think we have the exact opposite problem. Mimi loves all meat/protein but will not eat any fruit (not even juice). We’ve tried them all… I discovered that there is vitamin C in Cheerios though, so I guess we’ll be feeding her those during cold and flu season.
I think we have the exact opposite problem. Mimi loves all meat/protein but will not eat any fruit (not even juice). We’ve tried them all… I discovered that there is vitamin C in Cheerios though, so I guess we’ll be feeding her those during cold and flu season.
I think we have the exact opposite problem. Mimi loves all meat/protein but will not eat any fruit (not even juice). We’ve tried them all… I discovered that there is vitamin C in Cheerios though, so I guess we’ll be feeding her those during cold and flu season.
I agree. Who cares what everyone else is doing? Not to mention our needs grow and change as our families do the same.
Found you via the blast. My entry is here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/10/lay-off-jessica-people.html
I agree. Who cares what everyone else is doing? Not to mention our needs grow and change as our families do the same.
Found you via the blast. My entry is here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/10/lay-off-jessica-people.html
I agree. Who cares what everyone else is doing? Not to mention our needs grow and change as our families do the same.
Found you via the blast. My entry is here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/10/lay-off-jessica-people.html
I agree. Who cares what everyone else is doing? Not to mention our needs grow and change as our families do the same.
Found you via the blast. My entry is here:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/10/lay-off-jessica-people.html
sounds like you have a natural vegetarian on your hands–which is good, since that’s what you are.
it’s fantastic he eats such a variety.
instead of feeding the dog at the table, I have to watch my oldest and make sure she doesn’t feed the youngest.
That one is always hungry.
We have to have dinner at an ungodly early time, or the night goes horribly. Everyone just ahs to do what works for them and if anyone gives you crap, they have way too much time on their hands.
sounds like you have a natural vegetarian on your hands–which is good, since that’s what you are.
it’s fantastic he eats such a variety.
instead of feeding the dog at the table, I have to watch my oldest and make sure she doesn’t feed the youngest.
That one is always hungry.
We have to have dinner at an ungodly early time, or the night goes horribly. Everyone just ahs to do what works for them and if anyone gives you crap, they have way too much time on their hands.
sounds like you have a natural vegetarian on your hands–which is good, since that’s what you are.
it’s fantastic he eats such a variety.
instead of feeding the dog at the table, I have to watch my oldest and make sure she doesn’t feed the youngest.
That one is always hungry.
We have to have dinner at an ungodly early time, or the night goes horribly. Everyone just ahs to do what works for them and if anyone gives you crap, they have way too much time on their hands.
sounds like you have a natural vegetarian on your hands–which is good, since that’s what you are.
it’s fantastic he eats such a variety.
instead of feeding the dog at the table, I have to watch my oldest and make sure she doesn’t feed the youngest.
That one is always hungry.
We have to have dinner at an ungodly early time, or the night goes horribly. Everyone just ahs to do what works for them and if anyone gives you crap, they have way too much time on their hands.
I think the point of family dinners is so that the kids aren’t eating by themselves or in front of the tv. Michael is eating with a parent and learning table stuff and bonding with a parent while he is eating. And as he gets older he will be able to wait till longer to eat dinner and also be old enough to particpate even more in conversations for the whole family.
I think the point of family dinners is so that the kids aren’t eating by themselves or in front of the tv. Michael is eating with a parent and learning table stuff and bonding with a parent while he is eating. And as he gets older he will be able to wait till longer to eat dinner and also be old enough to particpate even more in conversations for the whole family.
I think the point of family dinners is so that the kids aren’t eating by themselves or in front of the tv. Michael is eating with a parent and learning table stuff and bonding with a parent while he is eating. And as he gets older he will be able to wait till longer to eat dinner and also be old enough to particpate even more in conversations for the whole family.
I think the point of family dinners is so that the kids aren’t eating by themselves or in front of the tv. Michael is eating with a parent and learning table stuff and bonding with a parent while he is eating. And as he gets older he will be able to wait till longer to eat dinner and also be old enough to particpate even more in conversations for the whole family.
Kids changes eating habits so much! It’s hard to keep up. Our 5 year old suddenly won’t eat slices of cheese…!?!? It was a favorite forever.
But he’s suddenly interested in cauliflower. Decent trade-off.
Kids changes eating habits so much! It’s hard to keep up. Our 5 year old suddenly won’t eat slices of cheese…!?!? It was a favorite forever.
But he’s suddenly interested in cauliflower. Decent trade-off.
Kids changes eating habits so much! It’s hard to keep up. Our 5 year old suddenly won’t eat slices of cheese…!?!? It was a favorite forever.
But he’s suddenly interested in cauliflower. Decent trade-off.
Kids changes eating habits so much! It’s hard to keep up. Our 5 year old suddenly won’t eat slices of cheese…!?!? It was a favorite forever.
But he’s suddenly interested in cauliflower. Decent trade-off.
Wait until you have homework and Girl Scouts and soccer practice and three kids going to three different activities. Yeesh.
We do family breakfast. Isn’t that the most important meal of the day, anyway?
Wait until you have homework and Girl Scouts and soccer practice and three kids going to three different activities. Yeesh.
We do family breakfast. Isn’t that the most important meal of the day, anyway?
Wait until you have homework and Girl Scouts and soccer practice and three kids going to three different activities. Yeesh.
We do family breakfast. Isn’t that the most important meal of the day, anyway?
Wait until you have homework and Girl Scouts and soccer practice and three kids going to three different activities. Yeesh.
We do family breakfast. Isn’t that the most important meal of the day, anyway?
My kids really don’t like to eat meat. So here’s my rant about the Family Dinner which I forgot to email you about. I think the purpose of having a family dinner is so that the family can connect. Everyone is taking some time out of their busy day and making an effort to connect. However, I think that if your family is doing family time at the other time such as bedtime routines, than it’s really the same thing as a family dinner. I hate all this emphasis we have on food as a culture. And yes, I know that eating the family dinner allows kids to see what you’re eating, but again I think there’s other ways of addressing that. Parents do the best they can do and what works for their family.
My kids really don’t like to eat meat. So here’s my rant about the Family Dinner which I forgot to email you about. I think the purpose of having a family dinner is so that the family can connect. Everyone is taking some time out of their busy day and making an effort to connect. However, I think that if your family is doing family time at the other time such as bedtime routines, than it’s really the same thing as a family dinner. I hate all this emphasis we have on food as a culture. And yes, I know that eating the family dinner allows kids to see what you’re eating, but again I think there’s other ways of addressing that. Parents do the best they can do and what works for their family.
My kids really don’t like to eat meat. So here’s my rant about the Family Dinner which I forgot to email you about. I think the purpose of having a family dinner is so that the family can connect. Everyone is taking some time out of their busy day and making an effort to connect. However, I think that if your family is doing family time at the other time such as bedtime routines, than it’s really the same thing as a family dinner. I hate all this emphasis we have on food as a culture. And yes, I know that eating the family dinner allows kids to see what you’re eating, but again I think there’s other ways of addressing that. Parents do the best they can do and what works for their family.
My kids really don’t like to eat meat. So here’s my rant about the Family Dinner which I forgot to email you about. I think the purpose of having a family dinner is so that the family can connect. Everyone is taking some time out of their busy day and making an effort to connect. However, I think that if your family is doing family time at the other time such as bedtime routines, than it’s really the same thing as a family dinner. I hate all this emphasis we have on food as a culture. And yes, I know that eating the family dinner allows kids to see what you’re eating, but again I think there’s other ways of addressing that. Parents do the best they can do and what works for their family.
You know what, I really appreciate this post. I kill myself every day trying to get dinner on the table so we can all eat “as a family” because that’s “what we’re supposed to do.” It stresses me out, makes my 22-month-old hungry and seriously cuts into my time with her. Why do I do it? Because somebody once said that’s what we’re supposed to do? That’s lame. New leaf? I’m turning you over, buddy!
You know what, I really appreciate this post. I kill myself every day trying to get dinner on the table so we can all eat “as a family” because that’s “what we’re supposed to do.” It stresses me out, makes my 22-month-old hungry and seriously cuts into my time with her. Why do I do it? Because somebody once said that’s what we’re supposed to do? That’s lame. New leaf? I’m turning you over, buddy!
You know what, I really appreciate this post. I kill myself every day trying to get dinner on the table so we can all eat “as a family” because that’s “what we’re supposed to do.” It stresses me out, makes my 22-month-old hungry and seriously cuts into my time with her. Why do I do it? Because somebody once said that’s what we’re supposed to do? That’s lame. New leaf? I’m turning you over, buddy!
You know what, I really appreciate this post. I kill myself every day trying to get dinner on the table so we can all eat “as a family” because that’s “what we’re supposed to do.” It stresses me out, makes my 22-month-old hungry and seriously cuts into my time with her. Why do I do it? Because somebody once said that’s what we’re supposed to do? That’s lame. New leaf? I’m turning you over, buddy!
I don’t know if we’ll ever get the family dinner down either. My husband doesn’t get home until 7 or 7:30 some nights and Boogie needs to eat by 6ish. Plus we don’t get home until 5:30 some days so I’d rather spend my time playing with him rather than parking him in a high chair with a video while I’m cooking. I think you do what works best for your family, and it is really no one else’s business.
I don’t know if we’ll ever get the family dinner down either. My husband doesn’t get home until 7 or 7:30 some nights and Boogie needs to eat by 6ish. Plus we don’t get home until 5:30 some days so I’d rather spend my time playing with him rather than parking him in a high chair with a video while I’m cooking. I think you do what works best for your family, and it is really no one else’s business.
I don’t know if we’ll ever get the family dinner down either. My husband doesn’t get home until 7 or 7:30 some nights and Boogie needs to eat by 6ish. Plus we don’t get home until 5:30 some days so I’d rather spend my time playing with him rather than parking him in a high chair with a video while I’m cooking. I think you do what works best for your family, and it is really no one else’s business.
I don’t know if we’ll ever get the family dinner down either. My husband doesn’t get home until 7 or 7:30 some nights and Boogie needs to eat by 6ish. Plus we don’t get home until 5:30 some days so I’d rather spend my time playing with him rather than parking him in a high chair with a video while I’m cooking. I think you do what works best for your family, and it is really no one else’s business.