I Feel Judged By My DCP's For THEIR Skinny Kids

[SunshineMama]

I have some pretty good eaters on my hands. They'll eat or at least try just about anything I make. About the only thing I have found is that NONE of them like mashed potatoes!

Of course, I have no idea what they eat at home but I know there are several parents that do drive thru's, pizza and subway often.

I've got one 2.5 year old. When he's picked up by his DCM, every night he will say, "I want chicken nuggets and french fries." Go figure!!!

I started making my own chicken nuggets after I saw how they were made.

Youtube "Meat deboner" and watch how they are made. I guarantee you wont eat them ever again.

[Country Kids]

Its just not the little ones with the eating.

I many years ago had a summer assistant that ate snack and lunch with us. An older teenager that did eat whatever I served. At the end of the summer they did say "I have never eaten that much healthy food in my life". I was shocked because it was just everyday food for my family.

[My3cents]

I thought your meal selection sounded divine!

But another thought is that if you need appreciation to continue with a job, then daycare is absolutely the wrong job for you. its important that you gain that confidence in your job outside of parents fickly and sometimes disrespectful behavior.

need a like button

can you list some things you do to gain that confidence in your job outside of parents behaviors? I think it would be helpful and reflective to many-

[My3cents]

I have some pretty good eaters on my hands. They'll eat or at least try just about anything I make. About the only thing I have found is that NONE of them like mashed potatoes!

Of course, I have no idea what they eat at home but I know there are several parents that do drive thru's, pizza and subway often.

I've got one 2.5 year old. When he's picked up by his DCM, every night he will say, "I want chicken nuggets and french fries." Go figure!!!

this got me to thinking.......during the week we eat healthy and home cooked meals.......but come the weekend.......no one wants to cook as much and we don't eat as healthy as we do during the week. We do the fast food more then we do during the week. We don't during the week, unless a girls night out or something out of the norm. During the week I am home, on the weekends its errands and go go go.. I hate MCD's but I got a family that loves it........ugh. I usually go for the salad that taste like the rest of the joint.....anywhooooo

[MrsB]

This is one of my main issues that I highlight during the interview process, and the sick policy.

I always say, I choose what goes on the kids plates they choose what to eat off of it. If kids are hungry they will eat it. I tell parents if they are willing to feed them mcdonalds or whatever else that the kids prefer when they get home from daycare then alot of times they will not eat here and wait until they are given their prefered food at home. Up to the parents to decide how they handle the issue. I reiterate that picky eating is a behavior issue.

I dont go out of my way to cook foods I know they wont eat though too. But most of my kids end up eating something here that they have never tried before. I get emails and texts from parents alot saying how do you serve your *** or how do you make your ******. DCB just raved about it.

I think I read in a food class I took one time. It takes 10 separate occasions of trying something before a child knows that they really dont like something.

Just for the record. I dont like eating bananas either. I love me some banana bread or muffins though! I still will take a bite or 2 one of every once in awhile thinking maybe this time I will like it.

[WImom]

Do any of you feel judged by your dcp's for thir kids eatin habits?

I'm so fed up with my dck's eating habits.

This is what I made for lunch today for the kids (ages 1,1,3,3, and 4)

Homemade Organic Chicken and Veggie Nuggets
Homemade Organic Sweet Potato Fries
Mango
Organic Avocado
Yogurt

The only things they ate were a few bites of chicken nuggets and the yogurt. I serve a wide variety of foods everyday and I feel like it is always wasted. My dd's ate everything of course, and wanted more. I am an aweome cook, btw

What is wrong with these kids? I have to almost make some of them eat bananas! What kid doesnt like bananas? All of the dck's are skinny and the parents of 2 of them have made comments to me, asking if they are eating well, etc bc they are so skinny. I serve 2 snacks and lunch- I cant make them eat.

I hate feeling judged by the parents, and frankly, I blame them for pawning off their kid's total nutrition on me. They are welcome to introduce them to healthy foods for breakfast and dinner instead of boxed waffles, doughnuts, and corn (the only veggie they eat).

This is why I don't feed organic to my dc kids, only my family. I can't stand the amount of veggies, milk, etc that I throw out daily that buying organic would really bug me.

[SunshineMama]

This is why I don't feed organic to my dc kids, only my family. I can't stand the amount of veggies, milk, etc that I throw out daily that buying organic would really bug me.

I get that 100%! My problem is that my kids want what everyone else has, so I would literally have to prepare the same meal twice so everyone has the same. I try to give the dck's bigger portions of things I know they like (mac and cheese, for ex), so they eat, and I give my kids more fruits and veggies and a smaller mac and cheese portion. It is so frustrating! Especially when older dd(3.5) counts how many she has and compares it to everyone else's.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I get that 100%! My problem is that my kids want what everyone else has, so I would literally have to prepare the same meal twice so everyone has the same. I try to give the dck's bigger portions of things I know they like (mac and cheese, for ex), so they eat, and I give my kids more fruits and veggies and a smaller mac and cheese portion. It is so frustrating! Especially when older dd(3.5) counts how many she has and compares it to everyone else's.

:: Cut her portion into small pieces so it still has "lots" when she goes to count.

[SunshineMama]

:: Cut her portion into small pieces so it still has "lots" when she goes to count.

[Bkind]

we have to remember kids have many thousands more taste buds on their little tugs then we do. this is why they often prefer bland foods. as for us we put the food in front of them if they want to eat then it there. we always serve 3 to 4 items at meal time so there is at least one thing everyone should like and if you want more of that and only eat that fine with me. however we do try to serve foods they like b/c when they don't eat well, nap time is a bust then no one is happy. besides most of america kids r over weight so parent should be happy they don't have a child that falls in that category.:confused:

[Babybear911]

Easy solution...

Have all dcp pack the dcb lunches! I don't make anything for the kids except snacks (sliced apples, cheese, crackers ect... ) lunch is all packed in the dcb lunch bags and I unzip and open containers for kids.

After lunch, all garbage and left overs go back into the dcb lunch bag to be cleaned and removed in their homes. give it a whirl!

Bet you will not make lunches for your daycare ever again.

Ps...I use to make lunches and found all the kids had different needs/likes and it was just too much work to make something for everyone. Providing snacks is a lot easier and cheaper! Good luck!

[Unregistered]

I have the same problem...I thought all kids liked bananas but I have several that will not eat anything but something in the bread food group....which I dont think should be the main thing in a childs diet.. I have even had parents tell me that they only buy healthy snack like fiber one bars... Its a glorified candy bar!!!!! none of my parents have ever said anything unless I make a comment about them not eating well..sorry U feel judged. All you can do is put it in front of them..

[WImom]

I get that 100%! My problem is that my kids want what everyone else has, so I would literally have to prepare the same meal twice so everyone has the same. I try to give the dck's bigger portions of things I know they like (mac and cheese, for ex), so they eat, and I give my kids more fruits and veggies and a smaller mac and cheese portion. It is so frustrating! Especially when older dd(3.5) counts how many she has and compares it to everyone else's.

Mine are school aged so it's easier. I can totally see it would be harder if your own are home with you. When my kids are off I have them sit in another room so they can eat seperate stuff but it is harder since I have to make 2 things.

[Ariana]

Could you ask the parents to give you a list of the kids favorite meals and foods? Perhaps you could work some of them into your lunches somehow?

I did this and came up with healthy alternatives that the kid would eat. She loves sausage so I buy sugarless sausages and she eats them up. I also make wonderful smoothies with a ton of healthy stuff in there and I buy low sodium organic soup that they like etc. I find there is a healty alternative for everything.

[Hunni Bee]

Do any of you serve family style?

I didn't like to do it because I was always worried about them putting their little fingers in the food while they serve themselves. And they do! I just make sure everybody washes hands real good beforehand

But, anyway, I've noticed they eat like 200% more when they serve themselves.
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