Like most children, there are certain things that my kids are picky about. Burke has always been very picky about what he wears (Hewitt on the other hand will wear just about anything I set out for him) and about what he eats. Burke's not a big eater (not a shocker since he is 46 inches tall and just barely hit 40 pounds) and he actually likes most healthy foods in general including vegetables (tossed salad has been a forever favorite) and fruits, etc. The issue is more of him wanting to have control over choosing what he is eating and for some reason he does not like the word "lunch." I have learned that if I say, "Hey Burke, would you like a snack?" then he is much more open to the idea of eating (which is funny because I offer the exact same foods no matter what we call it). Lately I've grown tired of rattling off all of the lunch choices --and believe me, I've tried offering only two choices that I'm happy with (Love and Logic Parenting) but then Burke will ask, "Why can't I have tuna mom? Why didn't you list that as a choice?" but he will usually respond with "nothing." Hewitt (who chooses other issues to be stubborn about) would eat the same ol' turkey and cheese sandwich everyday if I gave it to him.
Well, I've recently discovered something so simple and easy that has been a sure-fire success! I have found that if I turn a meal/snack into a little "food face" then Burke is delighted with just about anything I serve him and eats the entire thing with a smile. This is great for a couple of reasons: no more lengthy discussions about what to have for lunch (do your kids ever change their minds about what they want for lunch after you have already made it? eliminated), I can use whatever is in my fridge or pantry, the kids stay entertained during lunch and get creative changing the face around and pretending that the face can no longer see, hear, etc. And finally, more often then not the entire face disappears and a little more time than usual goes by before they are telling me that they are hungry again. Now when I ask my kids what they want to eat, the reply is a simple, "face." Here are a few of our recent faces:
Well, I've recently discovered something so simple and easy that has been a sure-fire success! I have found that if I turn a meal/snack into a little "food face" then Burke is delighted with just about anything I serve him and eats the entire thing with a smile. This is great for a couple of reasons: no more lengthy discussions about what to have for lunch (do your kids ever change their minds about what they want for lunch after you have already made it? eliminated), I can use whatever is in my fridge or pantry, the kids stay entertained during lunch and get creative changing the face around and pretending that the face can no longer see, hear, etc. And finally, more often then not the entire face disappears and a little more time than usual goes by before they are telling me that they are hungry again. Now when I ask my kids what they want to eat, the reply is a simple, "face." Here are a few of our recent faces:
"Tuna Eyes"--I tell you Burke eats every bite
"Turkey Lips/Bagel Ears"
And my favorite, "Almond Mustache"
