Opinions

[canadiancare]

Today's lunch is make your own subs and soup.
I have 5 two year olds.

They get a selection of par-boiled veggies on an individual plate, some shredded chicken and then I put a bowl with stock and rice in it in front of them. They put what they want for their soup (they usually just end up dumping everything in the bowl or eating it as is)

For their sub they have a section of a sub bun, swiss cheese, roast beef, lettuce, tomato and a plastic knife with mayo on it.

It is one of their favourite lunches to make.

[allsmiles]

hmmm.. but from what you say the center IS offering him the complete healthy lunch..he just refuses because he knows he will then get a pb&j..did i read that wrong?

i would say the center has done their job..if the mom thinks that him eating pb&j everyday is worse than not eating at all, then perhaps she should pack his lunch and alert the teacher he should only eat his lunch if he refused whats provided.. MAYBE they do require the child to eat SOMETHING.. and i dont think thats such a terrible rule. i certainly wouldnt be offering a second lunch so kudos to them LOL i really don't think when they made the rule they INTENDED for a child to refuse their lunch EVERYDAY and be eating pb&j that often..

[AmyKidsCo]

I don't have an issue with my DCK but DH and I have had many go-rounds about our own kids.

He feels that their choice is to eat what's on the table or wait for the next meal. I would agree IF there was always at least 1 thing each person would like. But when the only foods on the table are things we know they don't like I don't think Take It or Leave It is fair. So we compromise and after taking a "practice bite" of everything they can make PBJ if they want. I'd really prefer to always plan at least 1 food each person likes then let them Take It or Leave It, but DH cooks and I'm not going to tell him what to do.

With the DCK I do make sure that everyone likes at least 1 thing on the table, and there are no alternatives. If I do something "weird" like brussels sprouts I'll have a second vegetable in addition, to make sure they get enough veggies.

[cheerfuldom]

I am guessing that possibly the school is offering PBJ and sides and the child is only eating the sandwich....

[Hunni Bee]

I agree with the poster that said to consider what the child is eating at homes for breakfast and dinner. yes lunch is very important. but we all know parents that are quick to blame the preschool or daycare when the parents do play a big role in healthy eating habits, if not a bigger role than the school in this case because he is eating more meals at home than school.

Oh no, I agree. My sister tries to make healthy choices for dinner, but he's getting so he won't eat anything but snacky stuff....and pb and j. That's what he's served at school. He eats breakfast, lunch and snack there (junk) and then refuses the balanced dinner at home.

I don't feel like its their fault he's a picky eater. He was a picky eater beforehand. But he also knew that he was only getting one meal, and he ate what he wanted from it. Like another poster said, they've set him up to expect a treat lunch and get away with not touching the real lunch. From what I understand, he just says "I dont want this" and they give him a sandwich. Every day.

I guess I have to blame my sister for not doing her homework on this place....

[Hunni Bee]

I wholeheartedly a agree with what you mention above. It is keeping them from developing unhealthy eating habits, or at least temporarily stopping it.

To offer a child a tasty, yet not very nutritious meal when they will not eat their lunch is, to me, a reward.

If the meal they are offered is balanced, it should contain something that is palatable to everyone. My DC lunch today was roasted chicken, peas, carrots, and tri-colored rotini. I serve all components and what a child eats is up to them. I am not offering unreasonable foods, that children dislike. If you choose not to eat, then the (natural) consequence is that you go hungry. Plus, most schools & DC will be serving milk, and at minimum my pickiest eaters fill up on their milk (which is a pet peeve of mine, but I can't really do anything about that).

Thats what I said. He's picky, but he's not a "mac.and cheese and juice" kid. He eats certain veggies, all fruits, bread and meat. He will refuse something if is mixed up, casserole type or heavily smelly, but I doubt they serve a lot of that anyway. No way every single item on the menu every day is something he doesn't like. I just think it's a "whatever" attitude..."okay, you dont want that. Cool, have a sandwich."

I hate to be one of those parents, but I may go and have lunch with him one day to see what goes on.