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I cook and they either eat or go hungry.
It's that simple.
It's that simple.
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Haha well, I have to say the 'cutie' example doesn't really work because that is just a brand. I refuse to call tangerines 'cuties'! And my husband, who does .01% of our grocery shopping definitely has no idea what a 'cutie' brand mandarin is by that name so he would have been just as confused. And we eat 'normal' real food. A also do a lot of shopping at our local produce stand and farmers market- no cuties but a billion different types of oranges!
Anyway, where I work we heat up brought lunches. Where I worked in the past, we served healthy and you eat it or not! On the parent side, I'm glad my son is there where I provide lunch because what teachers/directors think is healthy is not actually better than what I want to give my son. They don't know that original triscuits for example, have 3 ingredients and are a very good source of whole grains which are in fact necessary for a healthy diet. They say, 'oh crackers, can't have those'... :/Comment
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If a child is so picky that they will skip breakfast, morning snack, and lunch....they will probably eat afternoon snack. I make what I make and it is all healthy options made from scratch. Children will eventually try something if they are hungry enough. I feel I am doing more harm by giving in and offering processed junk than to teach them and nurish their body.Comment
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I had good eaters until the new girl (4 1/2) started. She is big on "that's yucky" and "I won't eat that." Shrug, That's fine. Then the little one started imitating and not eating. We had some cranky afternoons! I talked to her about setting an example, mom talked to her. Finally, one day I pulled out the container of Mac and cheese I had fixed earlier. Without even knowing what it was she started "yucky, I'm not eating that". So I put everything else on her plate except that while DCB got Mac. She was backing up fast "Oh, I like that." I didn't let her have it, and she had a blue ribbon worthy drama queen meltdown and was sent away from the table. I've never heard another negative word about food from her. She makes a point to taste everything and be sure I know she tried. Mom was thrilled. It's made things easier at home too.Comment
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She actually took me by surprise. The only food issues I've ever had here were not getting it on the table fast enough. This is her first time in daycare having been home with mom for 4 1/2 years. I was low key about it, telling her that was not polite and we didn't make rude comments when other people fixed us food. I wasn't really bothered at first. She's a real sweetheart and I thought it was just an adjustment she would get past. Instead, it got worse, and at that point, I got firm.Comment
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I have a couple dcks who refuse to try new things. Forget veggies and there are only a couple fruits they'll eat. If you gave them nothing but carbs all day they'd be happy as clams.
I've tried many times many ways to have them try their other food items but they're stubborn little things and I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle because they get catered to at home. I always try to serve things I know they'll eat so they get something. But it can get cranky here all day with empty little bellies and such strong wills.
And forget it if you serve foods that are mixed together. We had chicken biscuit pie this week, thinking they'd eat the biscuit off the top. Haha yeh. What was I thinking....
It's frustrating and disheartening. Kids are weird when it comes to eating, that's for sure. I have a SA dcg and there isn't much she likes but she'll eat beets. Then 1 dcg who eats everything except beets.
I try not to make an issue about eating but it's hard. My sweet little 3 yo will actually sit there and cry if she sees what's for lunch and she doesn't like it. It's hard to be the 'bad guy' when dcps do what is the easiest for them.Comment
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I find that no matter how you handle food, it's always an issue.
If you provide, you will have parents upset because it's not healthy enough, or it's "too" healthy, etc. If you don't provide you may lose out on potential clients - I have a new family that came from a place that didn't provide food - every Sunday was spent prepping dc meals for the week. She's loving that she doesn't have to do that now...but...she's constantly sending food in
This is one area I will not miss when I leave day care.
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I'm in Canada (no food program as far as I know) and I do the same as Sugar Magnolia. For 4 years I provided lunch and it was always a battle. So many picky kids and kids with sensory issues and I got so tired of the tears. Now lunch is brought from home. I will microwave it if needed, serve it up, and all is good! No fights, no "ewww I don't like this". Lunch is simple and painless! I provide snacks but the parents actually end up packing those as well.Comment
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I don't have issues with food.
I provide the food. I serve a morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. All kids are served the same thing. Unless there is a medical reason.
If kids choose not to eat or only eat a portion of what's on their plate, that is fine. I don't care.
There is no seconds however, unless you have a clean plate.
If one child is finished sooner than the others, they are free to leave the table and go straight to rest time. (there are no other options). Kids are welcome to stay sitting until lunch is over if they want to continue conversing with the other kids.
Once lunch is over, the kids go to the bathroom and get ready for rest time.
I don't spend hours planning menus, shopping for supplies, cooking or cleaning up afterwards. It's a routine and one I do every day. From start to finish it's autopilot. Prep begins at 11:00, lunch is served at 11:30, clean up starts at 12:00-12:15 and everyone is lying down and resting by 12:45.
Lunch is simple in my opinion if you don't allow it to be complicated.
Having parents supply lunch...ugh! That would be complicated for me. I've seen how some of these families eat. I have one mom that seriously thinks fruit snacks are a fruit. 
:confused:
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