Lunch and Snack Battle

**childcaremom** · 05-12-2015, 08:05 AM

I serve and the dcks either eat or don't. I don't do a battle at the table. I go through this with parents during the interview, as well.

I always tell them that they don't have to eat but that they do need to sit quietly while everyone else finishes.

I serve what my family would get. My kids also get the same deal: either eat or not.

**Baby Beluga** · 05-12-2015, 08:13 AM

I agree ^^^

My job is to make a healthy meal and the children's job is to eat the meal. If they don't, then tough cookies. Same goes for my kiddo as well.

It is not always easy, but once you relinquish control it becomes much easier. And with some children once they sense that you have let go then they start to eat...go figure

**KIDZRMYBIZ** · 05-12-2015, 08:45 AM

I've had a number of kids start out at my daycare as picky eaters, and learn to love all kinds of food.

First, I have a very frank conversation with DCM or DCD that their child does not enjoy my meals and snacks, and therefore barely eats. I am aware that they are coming home starving/thirsting. I explain briefly some of the CACFP requirements of what and how much I must offer. I let them know that with calm persistence, the child will come around (and not starve to death in the meantime).

When serving the children, I bring the food to them at the table and I offer some of everything. If a child declines to eat a component (for some it's meat, most often it a veggie), that's fine. I offered it, they declined, and it wasn't wasted. I make no comment and move on. Then if that child asks for second helpings, the only thing I offer is what they wouldn't eat before. Calmly, and with no explanation:

DCK: I'm still hungry. I want more chicken.
Me: You may have some broccoli. Would you like me to put some on your plate?
DCK: No. I want chicken! (To this I do not reply and direct my attention elsewhere)

What I do next I know some will not agree with me. It works for me, and I really don't feel like it creates any bad habits, and it really speeds along remedying a picky-eater. The children that ate a balanced meal or snack is rewarded with a single M&M, Smartie, jelly bean, mini marshmallow, or Skittle. A single one. They love it. It only takes about a week and maybe one more day for the picky eater to come around.

Before I started rewarding with the candy, I had a 3.5yo DCG once that was very stubborn about eating. No matter how much I cajoled or encouraged "peer pressure" from her little friends, she would not eat or drink milk even for the entire 9 hours she was here. She would get so crabby as the day wore on. I started making her lay down immediately after lunch (we have about an hour before naptime) under the pretense that she must have a tummy ache if she can't eat. And I would make sure we did something extra fun that she missed. Well, it wasn't long before she started eating. All I had to do was ask if she had a tummy ache when I could see she was being difficult about food again-usually when something new she hadn't had before was being served. So that worked, too.

That's my 2-cents. Bottom line. If you are calm, nonchalant, and keep the parents abreast of the situation, the kids will come around. After all, healthier foods DO taste very good, and they will figure out that they feel better themselves after eating it.

**KIDZRMYBIZ** · 05-12-2015, 08:51 AM

I just remember what that little girl said to me as I set her breakfast in front of her on her first day here. My oldest DS will still sometimes repeat it as a joke.

"I like chicken nuggets and hot dogs and that's all I'll eat...and I don't. drink. milk."

:

::

:

**Sugar Magnolia** · 05-12-2015, 10:38 AM

Ok, i will be the odd ball here, and I know my reply probably won't help with your issue OP, but I'll throw this out there.......

Your lunch problem is exactly why I don't serve lunch. Kids bring lunch from home in a lunch box and I simply plate it and heat up as needed. It is truly a wonderful thing and works so well for me! Yes, I have lunch guidelines that parents must follow....no candy, no cakes, no Doritos, or anything junk food. Lunch must contain a protein, grain, fruit or veggie and dairy. I have zero issues of "I don't like thaaaaaaat". Parents pack things they know their kids will eat. And they eat it. Done. I DO provide morning and afternoon snacks, all kid friendly and proven popular. I also provide milk or juice. It may SOUND like a huge hassle to deal with 12 to 15 lunch boxes and all the containers, but honestly, its not. Containers and bags are labeled w names. Its VERY easy and the kids do truly enjoy their own foods. In fact, most parents choose my center because i DON'T serve lunch. They like knowing exactly what their kids are eating, buy organic, be vegetarian, be glucose free, be Jewish, etc. I had a new mom tell me she left a center because their child wouldn't eat the food served.

I have a friend that does serve 2 meals and a snack. She, like all of you, spends an inordinate amount of time planning, shopping, preparing and administering the food program details. It works for her, and many of you, and I applaud that. It doesn't work for me.

No, I don't participate in the food program for my snacks either. I buy it, save the receipt and write it off my taxes. I don't care about the money anyways, compared to the hoops you all on the program have to jump through.

Anyway, sorry if this wasn't helpful, but I do like to preach the ease of BYOL.

**deliberateliterate** · 05-12-2015, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by childcaremom

I serve and the dcks either eat or don't. I don't do a battle at the table. I go through this with parents during the interview, as well.

I always tell them that they don't have to eat but that they do need to sit quietly while everyone else finishes.

I serve what my family would get. My kids also get the same deal: either eat or not.

I do something similar. If they don't eat what I make, I don't really worry too much about it. I'll just mention to parents that their child didn't eat well at lunch so they will probably be hungry.

Also, I don't even know what a cutie is??

**Sugar Magnolia** · 05-12-2015, 11:36 AM

Cuties are cute lil baby oranges🍊🍊🍊:

:

**deliberateliterate** · 05-12-2015, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by Sugar Magnolia

Cuties are cute lil baby oranges🍊🍊🍊:

:

ohhhh! I googled it as well. I think it must be an American brand of manderins. I just call them manderins

D

**kitykids3** · 05-12-2015, 12:14 PM

I'm the same. I have my own 3 week rotating menu that follows the Food Program guidelines. I offer the food. If they don't want to eat then that's fine but I don't make them anything else and don't give seconds on anything until everything is gone first. I've never really had trouble with a child never eating. They eventually learn that what I serve is what they eat or they go hungry til next time. They also usually seem to like the things I serve (spaghetti, meatballs and rice, beef n gravy with egg noodles, cx and rice, etc.) simple child friendly foods but not all out junk. Offer the food you fix. If they don't eat, don't stress.

**KIDZRMYBIZ** · 05-12-2015, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Sugar Magnolia

Ok, i will be the odd ball here, and I know my reply probably won't help with your issue OP, but I'll throw this out there.......

Your lunch problem is exactly why I don't serve lunch. Kids bring lunch from home in a lunch box and I simply plate it and heat up as needed. It is truly a wonderful thing and works so well for me! Yes, I have lunch guidelines that parents must follow....no candy, no cakes, no Doritos, or anything junk food. Lunch must contain a protein, grain, fruit or veggie and dairy. I have zero issues of "I don't like thaaaaaaat". Parents pack things they know their kids will eat. And they eat it. Done. I DO provide morning and afternoon snacks, all kid friendly and proven popular. I also provide milk or juice. It may SOUND like a huge hassle to deal with 12 to 15 lunch boxes and all the containers, but honestly, its not. Containers and bags are labeled w names. Its VERY easy and the kids do truly enjoy their own foods. In fact, most parents choose my center because i DON'T serve lunch. They like knowing exactly what their kids are eating, buy organic, be vegetarian, be glucose free, be Jewish, etc. I had a new mom tell me she left a center because their child wouldn't eat the food served.

I have a friend that does serve 2 meals and a snack. She, like all of you, spends an inordinate amount of time planning, shopping, preparing and administering the food program details. It works for her, and many of you, and I applaud that. It doesn't work for me.

No, I don't participate in the food program for my snacks either. I buy it, save the receipt and write it off my taxes. I don't care about the money anyways, compared to the hoops you all on the program have to jump through.

Anyway, sorry if this wasn't helpful, but I do like to preach the ease of BYOL.

Today, you are my hero! I would lovethislovethislovethis to do this! I don't think it would go over well in my parts. I think the food program participation is expected if you are licensed. If I could watch 5 kids (limit is 3), I would drop licensing and food program in a heartbeat. I just want to be the "neighborhood babysitter" of yesteryear...

**Sugar Magnolia** · 05-12-2015, 12:54 PM

Originally posted by KIDZRMYBIZ

Today, you are my hero! I would lovethislovethislovethis to do this! I don't think it would go over well in my parts. I think the food program participation is expected if you are licensed. If I could watch 5 kids (limit is 3), I would drop licensing and food program in a heartbeat. I just want to be the "neighborhood babysitter" of yesteryear...

Run it by your parents.......you never know! Hmmm, ecpected vs required.....I dunno, ask licensing. I have made a successful center by being different and thinking outside the box. You may be pleasantly surprised to find not all parents want, or expect, a served lunch. Best wishes.

**childcaremom** · 05-12-2015, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by Sugar Magnolia

Run it by your parents.......you never know! Hmmm, ecpected vs required.....I dunno, ask licensing. I have made a successful center by being different and thinking outside the box. You may be pleasantly surprised to find not all parents want, or expect, a served lunch. Best wishes.

I thought about doing this when I reopened. Prepping/planning meals is my least favourite time of the day.

Do you heat meals for them or require it be something unheated?

I am filing this away for the future

**Sugar Magnolia** · 05-12-2015, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by childcaremom

I thought about doing this when I reopened. Prepping/planning meals is my least favourite time of the day.

Do you heat meals for them or require it be something unheated?

I am filing this away for the future

Yes I do heat things in the microwave. I won't cook things in the microwave though (like easy mac)! Fridge and microwave are my only kitchen equipment. It's really, really sweet. No whining, no issues at all really. I DO keep food on hand in case someone forgets lunch. One time, dcm forgot lunch, promised to return with lunch at lunchtime. Uh, it was a Happy Meal. I expected a riot. No riot happened. The group has been well programmed to know "that is his lunch, this is your lunch". Since everybody BYOL, everybody gets "special". It's EASY PIE y'all.

ETA.....oh and NO DISHES. I rinse out containers (piss ant prevention) and return to lunch box. Wicked easy.

**racemom** · 05-12-2015, 08:38 PM

I never let lunch be a battle. I give them their lunch, they eat or don't. But they do have to sit with their plate until everyone is done. I have one 16 month old who won't eat anything for mom and she is amazed what she eats at daycare. But it's because I don't battle with her. She will only eat spaghetti and pizza at home, and refuses to drink out of a cup. She eats everything for me and usually drinks several cups of milk out of an open cup for me.

I have told mom how lunches/snacks are handled in my room, but it doesn't work at home. Hmmm...could it be because mom gives in and lets her eat junk? Lol
I absolutely refuse to argue with a 1 year old about eating!

Lunch and Snack Battle

Lunch and Snack Battle

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