This is a sponsored post from Chef Boyardee and BlogHer.
Once our little guy started eating table foods, one of the things that concerned me the most was whether or not he was going to be a picky eater. Since I was raised in a you-eat-what-you’re-served household, I was bound and determined to do the same. But what if he balked? What if he wouldn’t eat his vegetables? What if I turned into a short-order cook?
Needless to say, these prospects did not fill me with joy.
But as it turned out, I need not have worried. Sure, we had a rough go of it a time or two when grown-up food textures were just too much for his two- or three-year old palate. For the most part, though, we’ve fared remarkably well with very, very few food-related battles. I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers (after all, there’s only one child in this house, and he’s of a super good-natured variety), but there are two things in particular that worked for us: 1) Try every single food on your plate (every single meal) and 2) You eat what’s prepared for you. As much as I love to cook for my family, I’d drive myself crazy trying to take requests from a seven year-old every single night (not to mention that our weekly menu would consist of little more than chicken tenders, pizza and cheeseburgers).
As a result of our two really simple mealtime rules, we have a child who will eat almost anything for supper. I think the key is to start early with the expectation of eating well-rounded, healthy meals and to be consistent with that expectation. We definitely have ongoing challenges in terms of our parenting, but thankfully mealtime isn’t one of them. This mama is very grateful for that.
But whether your kids eat well or not, it seems like every phase of a child’s life requires putting together a whole new parenting puzzle. Right now, for example, our little guy is doing a great job getting his homework done in the afternoons, but keeping his room clean is another thing entirely. We’ve finally reached a point where he keeps it tidy enough to keep the peace, but I can’t seem to figure out how to help him be organized. Maybe it’s one of those qualities that you either have or you don’t (and truth be told, I struggle with the organization, too), but I know his life will be so much easier down the road if we can cultivate some good habits now. I just can’t seem to figure out how to get those good habits off the ground.
I’m learning to take my victories where I can find them. Today, for example, has been a pretty good day as far as his room is concerned.
I can live with a few pillows in the floor and a bed that hasn’t been made up yet. I just don’t fare so well when the floor looks like a lake of books and action figures.
So what about you? Care to share your parenting secrets? If you’d like to be entered to win a $200 Visa gift card courtesy of BlogHer, tell us one of your best parenting tips in the comments. How do you teach your kids to be organized? How do you manage homework? How do you get them to eat well? How do you handle bedtime? Chime in on one or all of these topics – I can’t wait to read your suggestions!
Be sure to check out the BlogHer.com exclusive offers page – you’ll find other bloggers there with even more chances to win.
For great tips from moms just like us, sharing experiences, ideas and advice on how to get kids to eat better, visit Club Mum. Club Mum is the perfect resource for moms to learn helpful hints on a variety of topics, which can be applied to their own family. Club Mum is also on Facebook with daily tips, recipes, articles, questions and a terrific and active community!
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I am not organized myself. It is quite a struggle. I think I and my kids are learning!
Thye know they just have to. If I make a salad they need to eat at least a few pieces. I don’t make them eat a huge amount, just a tiny taste.
We work together on things and make it fun.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/dresdenrain/status/17986324652888064
I don’t have kids, but I had a great mother and one thing that she did will always stick with me and is something I wish all parents would do for their kids. My mom had this rule: If she’s old enough to ask, she is old enough to know the answer. She felt that she would rather me get facts from her than from my peers. The earliest memory I have of this practice was really funny. Mom was washing my hair in the shower and I asked her what the f word meant. I was five. She took a deep breath and told me. I stomped around the shower saying yuck over and over. LOL But I grew up knowing that I could talk to her about anything and she would not freak out. I know this doesn’t have to do with food or some of the other topics you mentioned directly, but I think that it helps with parenting overall, so I thought I would share.
I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/17990596593451008
My sister-in-law taught me one of the best lessons. She never allowed her children to bring out more than 2 toys at a time. If they wanted to play with something else then they had to put something away. The house never got too cluttered and you also learn what are your children’s favorites and can gradually thin out what they have.
Another idea along the same line is to box up several items and put them away. You can rotate them out and little ones have fun with their “new” toys.
My parents always taught me manners and to respect their directions. I was made to finish what was on my plate (not large portions or anything like that) and to try everything at least once. They did not force me to eat things I hated, but they would not allow me to just turn up my nose and not even try things. I also had to try 1 thing a month that I thought I hated again, to see if my tastes had changed. I do this to this day and have widened my palate considerably over the years.
my tweet http://twitter.com/#!/RePurrPussed/status/17997932234018817
My biggest tip would be to let them know you love them and take time to do things they like with them
my kids will eat raw veggies any day,so cut up a whole bunch and let them pick a dip and we are good!
ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com
hi
Chopsticks and toothpicks! My boys will eat anything if I cut it into a cube and stick it on a toothpick. And they love to try and eat food with chopsticks so I always let them eat their steamed veggies with chopsticks!
Chopsticks and toothpicks! My boys will eat anything if I cut it up and put it on a toothpick. And they love to try and eat food with chopsticks. We made a rule that they can only use chopsticks to eat their steamed veggies. So now instead of pushing them away, the veggies are the first things they eat!
I have always been open and honest with talking about foods being healthy and non-healthy, and the importance of eating healthy foods. I also make it a point of not catering to anyone. If they don’t want to eat what I made, that is fine, but I am not making them anything seperately.
I think keeping meals simple makes it easier for kids to be willing to try new stuff. Rather than put sauces on food, serve them separately- if the kids don’t like the sauce and it’s served to them, they make hate the food it’s served with.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh boy, where do I start? With 5 kids I have to be organized! Around here it’s Mom’s Way or no way. Homework gets done at the dining room table so I can walk around to help/check. Dinner – you eat what you’re given or starve. If you eat all of the food on your plate you get dessert. Bedtime – go to sleep or I’ll put you to sleep – Just Kidding! My kids are great about it since they know they will lose privileges if they even try to bend the rules. They do get tons of hugs, kisses and praise though so don’t think I’m just a mean ol’ dictator….
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/mrssquigg/status/18043548381220864
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Having an established after school routine helps a child get their homework done without the chaos of trying to finish a forgotten assignment at midnight the night before its due
Best parenting tip-Is to have weekly family meetings to discuss problems. Anyone can request a meeting.
Bedtime goes smoothly for us because we’ve had the same simple routine since my daughter was 18 months old: pjs, brush teeth and use the bathroom, stories in bed, light out. We can follow our routine even if we’re on vacation, and our girl is secure and independent about sleeping by herself because the sequence of events makes sense to her.
Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com
My kid eat pretty healthy most of the time, but here’s my quickest, easiest and healthiest meal that my kids ask for at least once a week. I get 1 pound packages of ground turkey that’s like 93% fat free. I usually brown it up ahead of time and pop the 1 pound packages in ziplocs into the freezer. When I need a quick meal, I pop the frozen ground meat with some homemade tomato sauce from all the tomatoes I grew in the summer to make a nice meat sauce. Serve it over whole wheat pasta (they don’t know the difference!). Hearty, filling and comforting.
We do homework as soon as we get home until dinner and if it’s not done by then, homework before television or games.
I have a magic bedtime strategy! I can’t take credit for it – the school told me. Tell the kids they have a set bedtime, BUT they can choose to read IN bed with the nightstand lamp on after that time. When they’re done reading, it’s turn off the light and go to sleep – no snacks, no stalling. No brainer – go to bed or read?
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/bsw529/status/18110064682340352
The main thing that keeps my life running smoother is making lists. I write a list for just about everything, because with us running around everywhere, something is bound to be forgotten if it is not written down.
I am not an organized woman and my children’s bedrooms are not presentable, but they can clean up a kitchen! I can’t stand a messy kitchen (and I’m lazy ;), so I’ve taught them to do it ;) It’s part of chores and learning responsibility, because I fear sending them out into the world with no housekeeping abilities. Several months ago, a friend invited us for supper, and afterwards all 3 went in and cleaned up her kitchen w/o being asked, and left it sparkling! It was a proud moment for me.
i just try to do my best everyday and follow my instincts