Tales for Very Picky Eaters

Schneider, J. (2011). Tales for very picky eaters. New York: Clarion Books.

Broccoli? Lasagna? Milk? Lumpy Oatmeal? Eggs? Gross. Gross. Gross. Gross. GROSS! A child may ask, why must parents insist on making their children eat gross things? This is an ingenuous guide that may aid parents with very picky eaters to get them to eat the oh, so very gross things on the menu. And this very clever guide shows the extent a parent is willing to go to, to get their picky eaters to eat healthy food. So what can we replace broccoli with? What will happen to the cook in the basement if we don’t eat his lasagna? What won’t we be able to do if we don’t drink milk? How will the Lumpy Oatmeal Monster take over our home? So what if we try eggs and we just happen to like them? Silly at its best but, oh so very accurate!

Just yesterday I made lasagna and when I told my nine year old what I was making he said, "But you know I don't like lasagna!" And so naturally, Munchkin Little followed with, "I HAAAATE lasagna, remeeeeeeember?"

I have two very picky eaters of my own and whereas I've had friends tell me, "My kids either eat what I make, or they don't eat at all!" I can't possibly not feed my children. I have no problem in modifying their menu as long as they eat healthy foods. I have a boy who won't eat strawberries, and one who won't eat anything with tomatoes, one that has to have potatoes almost every day, and one who can eat bean taquitos all day and all night. And so what if they don't eat what I make? While I'm well enough to provide for them, I'm going to give them what they like so that they have something to eat. It's not allowing them to do with me as they please, it's me making sure they stay healthy. 

I do somehow find ways to trick them into trying things they believe they will absolutely find disgusting before they even taste it... and on the days I am able to change their minds, I celebrate the mini victory! :) 

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