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Here is a thread she started about sites for great deals/coupons.
Needavac is a FANTASTIC money saver!!!
Needavac is a FANTASTIC money saver!!!
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I actually do things just like you posted in your first post, I just wanted to know how YOU handle some of the downsides or negative aspects of rewarding or giving treats to some kids but not others.
I reward the kids but I do it randomly and unexpectedly because I don't want them to ever think there is a connection between eating and a reward...kwim?
I also reward kids for effort....and not always having eaten everything. Eating half of their veggie might be a huge step for one kid where another might love that veggie and eat it every day so rewards and treats here are done on an individual basis.
I also don't believe the clean plate theory is the basis for obesity in children. I think there a lot more outside influences that effect weight and health than finishing all your food on a regular basis. After all, our grandparents probably did belong to the clean plate club for every single meal they ate and yet their generation did not suffer from obesity like the current one does.
I do meal time in my own way and have fantastic eaters. ALL my kids eat veggies and will typically ask for seconds on veggies only. Every once in a while I hear a parent comment about one kid getting a treat and another not getting it and I often wonder how other providers deal with parents who think their child missed out on something or that I may be doing something that isn't fair...kwim?
I wasn't getting down on you for how you do things.....just wondering how you manage some of the fall out.....or if you have any.
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My grocery store doesn't accept internet coupons.
I spent 198 bucks this a.m. Ugh.
I have found, since the schoolagers are older, they tend to have less of a discriminating palette than my younger ones do. So they're more likely to try new things, and eat their veggies. I have 1 little guy, 5 yo, he is THE pickiest kid I've ever had. One day we had goulash, beets, pineapple and cucumbers for lunch. He said "I don't like anything on the table". Well, then you can wait till snack time. And he did. But not without complaining an hour after lunch that his stomach was growling. But this is the same kid that gets cookies for dessert because he ate his corndog for supper. Oy Vey....
Thank goodness most of my kids are pretty good about eating or at least trying most of what I serve.
This week our menu looks like this(kind of)
Breakfast:
Cereal and bananas
Bagels, and grapes
English muffins, eggs and fruit salad
Cereal and bananas
Pancakes, applesauce
Lunch:
Hamburgers, cucumbers, fruit salad
Chicken and rice, frozen peas, applesauce
PB&J and/or turkey sandwiches, carrot sticks, watermelon
Pizza, Peaches, corn
Ziti, grapes, red/green pepper sticks
Snacks:
Trail Mix
Mini muffins and some kind of fruit
Cheddar cheese and wheat crackers
Animal cookies and apple slices
String cheese and pineapple chunks
All meals include milk, snacks I serve water.
I went years of not being on the food program after I had been on it for awhile, and got into such a habit of what to serve that I just kept serving the same requirements anyways. The one thing that's hard for me now though, is they want you to serve beans once a week and sometimes I forget. Kids are smart and can tell if I've tried to doctor a dish with smashed beans.
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Have you tried black bean brownies for snack? It's a CACFP favorite. Puree (very well!) one can black beans with its juice-do not drain- then mix with one box dry brownie mix. Omit the water, oil, and eggs. Bake as directed on box. So easy, so tasty, and a secret serving of beans. I promise, they will never know!Comment
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WOW KMK I will have to try that one! Thanks for sharing!Comment
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I will be learning how to do that, thanks for the link, BC!Here is a thread she started about sites for great deals/coupons.
Needavac is a FANTASTIC money saver!!!
and thanks for being a super saver, Needavaca!Comment
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I just have to say, the Driscoll's berries rewards site is awesome! You get a 50 cent off coupon right now just for signing up. And every time you buy a package a their berries, you can fill out a quick survey and you get entered to win a $100 gift card EVERY MONTH!Comment
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I spend around $50.00 a week for four kids-still waiting for licensing so I can get on the food program and also enroll more kids!
After my paperwork was on someone's desk for a month (they have to get you liiscensed within 2 mo after receiving paperwork) and I thought they would be here any day someone noticed both my husband and I need nationwide fingerprint checks since we have lived out of the state in the last 3 yrs.
The pre-licensor and licensor did not realize we would need this??? New regulation I guess. Off topic-sorry. ;-(Comment
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I personally never offer a treat unless everyone can have one, I feel its unfair, kids can eat or not eat in my house I don't even really pay attention, unless they are asking for seconds. And there is no dessert here, my own kids get dessert maybe once per week, but were not much in desserts, now I love dessert, I just have never wanted my kids to get in the habit of always having a dessert after a meal, and I would not be happy if my kid were getting a piece of candy after lunch everyday. I find it best to offer very few treats at daycare, and let the parents do it at home, I know when my son was in daycare I would pick him up most days and he would have a cookie, I don't feel a kid needs cookies more than once a day, and I always felt like I had to over compensate at home for poor habits at daycare.It's true, the majority of my dc families have horrible feeding habits for their kids, especially on weeknights after long days at work. Many have commented to me how they don't worry about it because they eat so well at my house. But only 60% of their meals and snacks are with me
. I want the kids to learn healthy choices and moderation of goodies from me, cause they aren't going to learn it at home!
I hardly ever have to throw any food away. How do I get them to eat it? Well, I try my darnedest to enroll my kids as young as possible (6 of my 8 I've had since birth), so they are used to my cooking from the time they even start solids.
Now, here's the best trick: anyone who finishes their meal gets dessert. I put the minimum amount CACFP requires on their plates, the older kids usually ask for seconds of one or two items, and then they get a few chocolate chips, or a Dum-Dum ****er. It's cheap, and it makes them SO HAPPY! And I'm happy with their full bellies and smiling faces (and their excited voices saying "I get zurt! I get zurt!').:
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I spend at least $300 per week on food, I have a total of 12 kids most days, with 1 baby. My husband, the dog and cat, and 2 rats are not included. But my dog is like $50/per month.Comment
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I coupon to its helpful. I guess I spend about 130 or so a week maybe a bit more between the 4 of us, pets and dc. I try and just make enough for each child so theres as little food watse as possible. I have pretty average eatters except for one boy who can pack it away! I dont serve morning snack and I offer water between meals. I wish I had a magic answer for you. I think a lot of grocery costs does depend on where you live to.
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