I truly appreciate being able to provide dinner for my kids each night. Yet, there are moments when I find myself daydreaming about escaping to a quiet place where I wouldn’t have to negotiate with tiny humans over their meals. Here are eight thoughts that often cross my mind while I’m at the dinner table with my little ones:
- Just swallow already!
Seriously, how long can a bite of food linger in someone’s mouth? Please, just swallow that piece of chicken before I lose my mind and end up on the floor in tears. If I have to watch you chew any longer, I might just lose it. - How can you suddenly dislike your favorite food?
Wasn’t it just last week that you proclaimed this dish the best thing ever? I cooked a mountain of it based on your glowing review! Now it’s like a horror show to you? When I love something, I can eat it endlessly without complaint! - You think that smells bad?
Really? How can a piece of fried chicken invoke a face like you just caught a whiff of something awful? What could possibly smell off about a slice of pizza? It’s just bread with sauce and cheese—what’s not to love? - How are you full after three bites?
Just moments ago, you were practically begging for food, and now after three tiny bites, you claim to be full? I need to bottle that energy! When I’m starving, I can eat until I’m in a food coma. - What’s with the food touching issue?
So let me get this straight: a bit of mashed potato on your chicken means the meal is ruined? And if ketchup accidentally touches something it shouldn’t, the entire dish is contaminated—even if I wipe it off? Where are my car keys? - I can’t believe I’m doing this.
I’m literally sorting through your dinner to remove every speck of green because you’re such picky eaters! You want a whole new meal just because of a little parsley? But I’m so desperate for you to eat that I’ll do whatever it takes. Your dinner is happening, no matter what it takes! - Please don’t tell me to let them stop eating when they haven’t touched anything.
I hear you, Aunt Lucy, and I appreciate your wisdom. You say he knows when he’s hungry, but when he skips meals and turns into a little monster, you won’t be around. When he claims he’s starving at 11 p.m. after skipping dinner, I’ll be the one dealing with the fallout. So let’s not go there. - How can you not want that dessert?
I’m not upset that you’re passing on the chocolate mousse cake. It’s probably better for you, but I am really trying to understand how you can turn down a guilt-free dessert. You have the chance to indulge without consequences, and you say “no”? Kudos to you, you lucky little one. You didn’t get that from me.
Despite the mealtime chaos, I’ll keep putting nutritious food on the table and encouraging them to eat until they’re grown. And one day, when they come home from college lamenting their freshman 15, I’ll remind them of the days I had to plead with them to eat. Then, we can all bond over a pint of ice cream together.
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In summary, parenting during mealtime can be quite the adventure, filled with frustrations and surprises. Yet, through the chaos, we strive to nourish our kids and create lasting memories, all while navigating their quirky eating habits. For more parenting tips and insights, feel free to explore additional resources like NHS.