Idk how well this screen shot will turn out, but there it is... my girl is finally in daycare. Today is her first day, then she goes back on Tuesday.
@Jax_Wild_4_Life
I hope she had a splendid day, and that you tell us all about it.
She looks great.
@dz thanks and I do too! God I hope she eats the food they give her; she's way too picky & that worries me
@Jax_Wild_4_Life @dz
Peer pressure of multiple kids eating happily…she will give it a shot
@Thumprhare tbh that's exactly what they said at the orientation meeting last week and I'm hoping it works because she's a stubborn girl like her mother (and not always for the right reasons, unfortunately) ... but by God I hope it works
It’s unlikely she will let herself go hungry when she realizes there is no food between meals and snacks…and you get what you get.
@Thumprhare that's what they say, but she definitely did not eat her snack nor her lunch. Although, at lunch time, she did try a baby carrot, but idk if she actually ate it or not lol
@Thumprhare @dz you make really good points. I guess her and I both are going through our learning curbs. She's my one & only, and so far, I'm hers... it can be tough at times, and worrisome, but I could be gentler with the both of us on this eating/not eating stuff.
The first one you want everything perfect—mine didn’t eat a fry until nearly 2 years old. Then standards fall as life happens and you see them thrive. The joke is by the third one—they are eating week old Cheerios off the floor and you are trying to figure out if you technically need to make them food.
We have a curtesy spoon rule in house. You have to try a spoon full of any and everything served. Sometimes it’s daunting but pairing new things with enjoyed things helps
@Jax_Wild_4_Life @dz remember ‘good enough’ is perfect. Now one thing I refuse to do is a separate meal and short order situation. The kids eat what is fixed. Period. But if I make something gross, I won’t make them eat it. I have found with my smallest who is the pickiest—when he helps make the food he loves whatever it is….example: his favorite vegetable is roasted Brussel sprouts. Lol. No one believes me until he pipes up.
@Thumprhare Smart kid on the sprouts!
@MisterE asparagus and Brussel sprouts…hated them growing up…turns out it’s all in the preparation! LOL AND fresh versus canned or frozen. Oh and they still like the normal pizza and ice cream too. 😜no pretend unicorn farts and butterflies only in this house. It’s loud and messy and I am not always calm. @Jax_Wild_4_Life @dz
@Thumprhare @Jax_Wild_4_Life @dz
Sounds fun! 😁
@MisterE part of homeschooling was reading a recipe, measuring and making cookies today. Life skills for the win! @Jax_Wild_4_Life @dz
@Thumprhare Oh, that's great, if you have a good, exacting recipe. My Dad would have applauded your efforts as he was a baker by profession and a great cook to boot, as was my Mom a great cook.
They also loves steamed muscles. (Barf) I blame my spouse. I mean like can eat a ton themselves.
I dunno…my theory is I just want them to have a wide and adventurous palate even if they don’t like everything. (Just remember 12 presentations of new things when they are small).
One thing I think I wished I had presented more often—just to be present-was salads. They eat raw veggies…so maybe that is my hang up. Lol
@Thumprhare @dz everytime I present a salad to Willow, she says "No thank you! Thas yucky!" 🤣😭😭 same with muscles or oysters (all of which I LOVE) and pretty much all veggies but carrots, she'll take a bite while looking at you as if you just dared her to do something gross
I mean, I'm proud of her manners, but I'm also trying to teach her to listen to her body, to try new things & to do what she needs to do to take care of herself. I mean I get she's only 3, so that might be daunting for her
@Thumprhare @dz oh! And on the separate meal thing: I believe in that meal practice, but have caved in the past when she wouldn't eat what I gave her; the other option was a dry peanutbutter half-sandwich. She took it once or twice.
@Jax_Wild_4_Life it’s ok. We were not above bribery. You want peanut butter fine then one bite of ((insert food)). But you control how much of the preferred food she gets.
I get not everyone cooks…but if you all cook just have her bedside you. Cleaning the veggies. A butter knife to cut softer veggies. Stirring. Sprinkling on salt and pepper. Pouring liquid. You do it and she will want to do it with you…at least that is what I have noticed.
you xan also teach without a lit of words, just by the work. This includes foid hygiene habits, on why separate boards/cutting sheeting for veggies & chicken, how to dredge, when to season, ... These really are life skills.
@dz @Thumprhare that's so true too
@Thumprhare @Jax_Wild_4_Life
"what should we offer in a salad bar?" adventure games
@dz @Thumprhare absolutely! I also want to start a garden, which may have to wait until next year unfortunately (due to being so late in the summer now) so that she can help grow the food and watch it flourish. I've heard that promotes interest to try them in kids too.
@Jax_Wild_4_Life @Thumprhare
indoor herbs or sprouts?
@dz @Thumprhare I was thinking a vegetable garden. Maybe some fruit in the mix & some herbs ... I already have chives planted in my front yard, so I guess that's a start lol but next year I think will be the year
@Jax_Wild_4_Life @Thumprhare
:) I have found fun in planning gardens. A few times, what I cultivated actually ressembled the plans. But for me garden planning was always useful, enjoyable in itself, and as a guide to studying up about priorities for my garening within local possibilities.
Right now, I have a lot of tomatoes and herbs, in DIY hydroponics. Different issues from soil containers, or growing in the ground...
I suppose it does take a lot of planning and research. Which I will be doing lots of to find out when is appropriate time to start sprouting seeds, when to plant in the ground, what topsoil to use, if I should use plant food etc... My family members are the greenthumbs, so I hope I can seek their expertise as well, but I have really been wanting to pass it down to my daughter so that she has a better chance at self-sustaining and to garner her interest in fresh fruits & veggies
@Jax_Wild_4_Life @Thumprhare
for some plants, I get starter plants cuz from-seeds is too risky.
Now I want a berry bush...
@dz @Thumprhare oh I would love to grow blueberries! They grow wild here in some places though (although hard to find or hard to get to, especially when I don't drive lol)
@Jax_Wild_4_Life @Thumprhare
I might visit a pick-your-own option farm soon. Maybe I can learn useful info.
Plus BLUEBERRIES BLACKBERRIES RASBERRIES and who knows what more... I drool.
@dz @Thumprhare omg I hear ya! I love food! Especially garden fresh food. But I did get a pint of blueberries the other day for $1.97 which is a steal around here ...
@Thumprhare @dz you just brought up such an excellent point again! With your youngest helping you cook! I was actually told to let mine help me, and I have yet to do that! I just wonder now... would that work on Willow?? And I really need to start meal planning soon - which I will try to involve her with that, too.
@Jax_Wild_4_Life controlled choices my friend. Controlled choices —otherwise it will be spaghetti and Mac and cheese every few days. Lol
I have to remind myself to welcome their interest when I am not patient or am hungry—there are plenty of things I am still working on too.
Wait until one day you are exhausted and say hey we are having ice cream and cupcakes for dinner. You think ‘I am awesome’….they eat half of what they normally would then ask for real food—I was confused for sec. 🤣@dz
Remember kids can have to be resented with something new 12 different times before they accept it. 😜
Presented not resented. Sigh. Thanks for reading through the errors.
@Thumprhare @dz of course; it's so daunting, but I was so glad tonight when we made leeway at dinner. Idk how many times I've offered bbq cheeseburgers to her, without a bun (bc that seems to intimidate her for some reason) tonight she finally ate one. In full. When I figured out how she wanted to eat it (with her hands, instead of a fork, like we were doing with ours <she absolutely will not eat burgers on buns>) I picked up half of the burger, passed it to her, she accepted & took a bite! 😍
@Jax_Wild_4_Life @dz
She won’t let herself starve…don’t worry. I mean there are the rare exceptions but day one —no worries.
I have seen kids refuse food all day and only eat at home but they were younger than 2 and still getting bottles.
You got this!