Polite Bite

Last weekend I went to a Stake Relief Society conference that had all sorts of interesting classes to take. One of my favorites was on nutrition and trying to get your family to eat healthy. It was taught by a real dietitian, who had all sorts of great suggestions and ideas, and made me feel more confident about what I was already doing with my kids.

For example, my kids have been getting more and more picky over the past 18 months. Actually, it's Josh being super picky, Cole and Tess are just following. Spencer is actually starting to grow up a little and is willing to try some new things. Not all, but some. Anyways, I do not believe in catering meals to one person, unless it's that person's birthday. (And in that case, it's their birthday and hey, let's go out to eat and celebrate!) I also do not believe in eating 'kid' food for dinner. Not a huge fan of chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, corn dogs, that sort of thing. So I make what I want to eat and always make sure to have a ton of fruits and veggies or other things as sides so the kids have lots of options to choose from. And they can choose to eat or not; it's up to them.

According to the dietitian, that's exactly what I'm supposed to do. In her words, I'm in charge of where, when, and what we eat. From that the kids get to choose what and how much (or little) to eat. (True story: Josh has gone to bed with a growling tummy more than once because he refused to eat ANYTHING at the dinner table. And refused carrots, apples, or bananas, which are anytime snacks around here. That boy is stubborn.) Oh my word, I needed that little parenting win that morning! Sometimes I feel like I really do not know what I'm doing in the mom department, and hearing - from a trained professional - that I'm actually doing something right was just what I needed!

The dietitian also introduced the concept of a "Polite Bite" - basically, the kids need to at least take one little bite of the new food. They don't have to eat it all, just try it. I'd been trying this for years with no luck, but knew that for some reason Tess and Cole would love the phrase "Polite Bite". I was right - they've been trying new things, with minor success. I'll take it.

Usually I just put a tiny bite of whatever I want them to try on their plate, but tonight I took it a step further and put it in these little ramekins. (It's Butternut Squash with Cumin Couscous, in case you're wondering, and it's one of my favorite meals. So. Good.)

No one liked it, but I didn't feel the rage I usually do when they won't even try it and make gagging noises. Yes, that's a thing in our house. Growl.

I also made this watermelon and feta salad that was OUT OF THIS WORLD. But I didn't ask them to take a polite bite because I knew they wouldn't like it and why waste it on them? It's a very adult salad, and apparently I am the only adult in the house. (Lookin' at you, Lance.)

I also thought I'd take a picture of our dinner table. See? I add so many things as sides so they have lots of choices. Granted, I'm sure they wish the sides were french fries or chocolate cake, but that's why I'm the mom and cook and they are not. I was extra nice this time and let them have bread and peanut butter, which they liked. (I only do that for my more exotic meals. This African-based dish? Yes. Spaghetti? No.)

For the past couple of years cooking has become a real chore, which is sad because I used to enjoy it so much! I think it's because when the kids were little and fewer in number it didn't bother me when I'd cook and one or two didn't want to eat. But spending an hour making dinner and having three or four out of six people not eat? That's a pretty big disappointment. What's the incentive to cook when no one wants to eat and all you hear is complaining and fake gagging noises?

But now I kind of feel things changing again. Hopefully I'll start enjoying it again and the kids will actually start eating more than just their polite bites!