Meals

[CheekyChick]

I have 12 preschool aged children and if they were all to bring their own lunch, there would be non-stop tears and complaining because they would want what everyone else had instead of their own lunch.

[familyschoolcare]

I would never serve meals family style, I can see that being a disaster waiting to happen here. I make sure there are at least 3 choices each day on their plate. I have a good idea who will eat what. If Johnny won't eat green beans and that is what I am serving, I will put 2 beans on his plate. Minimum waste, and if he chooses to not eat those 2 beans, in the trash they will go and he will get saltines for snack, not the fun snack the rest will get. Kids use food as a poswer struggle, and I don't put up with it. I don't deal with picky eaters at all. We have a lot of fun foods here for snack, but you have to eat the good stuff before you get the fun stuff. Simple rules here.

I would be careful about serving something different to a child because of any reason it could be thought of as 1 special treatment and CPS might think it is neglectful as it is border line with holding food I know of a day care provider that got in trouble for this do not want to go in to details just be careful.

[mac60]

I do not and never have withheld food from any child. But when a child wastes food and refuses to eat what is on his plate, he is not getting that special snack that everyone else gets when they have ate their lunch and he hasn't. He will get saltines instead of the cookie bars we made. The so called regulations that some of you are forced to follow are absolutely rediculous.

[familyschoolcare]

I do not and never have withheld food from any child. But when a child wastes food and refuses to eat what is on his plate, he is not getting that special snack that everyone else gets when they have ate their lunch and he hasn't. He will get saltines instead of the cookie bars we made. The so called regulations that some of you are forced to follow are absolutely rediculous.

I did not mean to offend you and I understood that you where not denying a child food what you describe is exactly what my friend got in trouble for doing I am not saying I agree with the regulation nearly making sure that you and other are aware that they are out there

[Meyou]

I am fortunate in that I have been with all my DCK's since infancy so they are very good veggie eaters, first and foremost. They had them as their "baby food" just hand pureed. I am not a magician... and I am starting from a stacked deck, so to speak.

The only thing I know to work 100% is consistency and no rewards for unwanted behaviors. I think that is an across the boards answer...:confused:

If they don't eat that first serving of veggies (or veggie alternate) and I make an entire round of items he simply would not get seconds of anything.

It goes around in exact order...all seconds are dependant on them having eaten the first round.

My serving sizes are enough for a complete balanced meal, above the food program recommendations, so no one would be going hungry...before unregistered pops up.

He does like veggies...he's just striking just for the heck of it from what I can tell. I'm going to try family style out next week and see how it helps my food waste and if it can cue my striker. Thanks.

[Cat Herder]

Sure...

Give him the veggies first when he is really hungry then take a good amount of time (2-3 minutes) to get the next food on his plate.

Sometimes I stop to fake tie my shoe, re-wash my hands, check the seals on all the sippys, slop the hogs... Just look busy and don't make eye contact.

It has worked really well here. ::::

[nannyde]

I do bowl in one stew meals: Protein, starch, and two veggies. I also serve some kind of sauce for desert. Today we will have peach and pineapple sauce.

The kids go through phases when they eat small amounts and then need big amounts. I keep track of how they do on the amounts (if I get a bowl back with anything in it... I find out who didn't eat as much) and what they do and don't like.

If I have a kid that is going thru a phase of needing less I just give them less. If they are a big eater I give them a bowl filled to the top until they start backing down. If they want seconds there is always extra for them.

I've had these guys since babies and know pretty well what they will eat and what they won't. I don't get too involved in worrying about times when they need less. It's not that big of a deal.

99 percent of the time they all eat everything. We don't have food battles here. I want meal time to be pleasant.

If I'm giving them something they aren't familiar with I do mutlple small exposures mixed in with something I know they DO like. We had mango's a couple of weeks ago and some of them balked at them. I just smashed them and mixed them in with some strawberry sauce. I added a bit more to the sauce over the week and by the end of the week the ate them straight. Sometimes you just have to go EASY and use a preferred food to get them to consider it.

I love feeding kids. It's something I love so much about my job. The cooking does get to be a bit much at times so I make sure I get stuff done in advance so I can have a break from it when I need one.

It makes me sad to hear over and over again how food is wasted by picky eaters. We should cherish our food and meal time should be the hottest ticket of the day.

[Meyou]

How do you make the sauces? I want to eat at your house. Mmmm.

[Sunshine44]

I've never had a child besides my own kid want what the others have. It is like they all know they get what their parents send them.

[nannyde]

How do you make the sauces? I want to eat at your house. Mmmm.

I just cook the fruit in organic apple juice and puree it in my food processor. I store it in bags and freeze. I cook veggies that way too when they come in season. We use fresh until it's getting to the point of needing to be used. Then I cook, puree, and freeze.

[Meyou]

I just cook the fruit in organic apple juice and puree it in my food processor. I store it in bags and freeze. I cook veggies that way too when they come in season. We use fresh until it's getting to the point of needing to be used. Then I cook, puree, and freeze.

Is there anything that doesn't freeze well?

[nannyde]

Is there anything that doesn't freeze well?

potatoes if they aren't blended in.

Been pretty successful with all kinds of fruits.

[Crazy8]

I've been providing daycare in my home for 10 years and have ALWAYS had children bringing their own lunches. I've never had a problem with them wanting what the others have - many of them help to pack their lunch so they know what they are getting. I don't believe there are too many daycares near me who provide lunch though so maybe its regional.