Tired of cooking 4 different meals!!!!

[smiley4141]

 

I have to say, I have 5 daycare children, three of my own children, two exchange students and whoever else in the neighborhood decides to stop by.  Oh yeah  -  and now that my husband is back from Kuwait - there's him now too.

Durring the summer when all the children are present and accounted for, we make menus.  We have some that like veggies, others that like rice and of course there are carnivors too!  I have learned if I make a well rounded meal, each person will eat some of the food on their plate.  Usually I have to make more of the veggies and meat to calm the beasts but I do have one (my youngest baby) that likes to eat the rice.

Sorry, back to the menus.  I had each person write a list of the foods they like and give it to me.  I then took the oldest kids and helped them plan a menu for the entire summer.  There were days that we didn't stick to it - usually because we weren't home - but it worked like a charm.  We combined things off of the lists to create a weekly menu.  Did wonders for my shopping trips too!   

So, for those days that I don't have agreement from all 10 kids . . . there won't be a ladie in the kitchen cooking 10 meals, but I do keep on hand a favorite of my family, PB&J.  For your family, it may be ham and cheese or bagels.  What ever there is that you have and the kids love, feed it to them.  If once a week you and your husband want a fancy dinner you know the kids won't like, make sure you have your fall back ready for action. 

Just a hint - your fall back should be simple and not need prepatory work.  It is something that is quick and easy to make as a substitute.   Also,  keep your fall back food the same.   Don't give the children options and ask what do you want.  You run a home, not a fast food place.  "If you don't eat this, you can have that . . . which do you prefer?"  Remember, there are easier decisions to make when you only have two choices.

That's why when we go into a shoe store - we are in there all day!!  LOL   

Any way, give it a try.  Create your fall back food idea and stick to it.  After about a month of bickering, life will get easier. 

My yongest is the most obstinate child when it comes to food.  He eats nothing he doesn't like and will let the entire block know it.  The fall back food works great for our family. 

My fall back food (for me) is the salad I keep cut up in the fridge!!! 

Good luck!  You will need it!!  LOL

[Audrey]

Welcome to the group. What a great post. My daughter has always spent her summers at camp. Camp always has PB&J and/or salad for those who don't like the main meal.

How neat that you involved the kids in creating the menus.

[Aimee]

THats a good idea to get the kids involved in it.  My oldest won't eat anythign besides chicken nuggest and cheese pizza ;(

[Audrey]

Aimee,

When my daughter was young she had a very limited variety of what she'd eat, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, cheese pizza and bagels and cream cheese. That was pretty much it. Today, she eats pretty much everything.

[grocerymama]

Hi Smiley4141 - that's a great idea 

[Danielle]

OK ladies.. I must confess.. I go to Sam's now and buy bulks of food, and go from there... I still cook, but this seems to work for us now... MY DAUGHER loves chicken and my son loves hot dogs... So i just go to the freezer and cook!!LOL

[Audrey]

Danielle,

Way to go!!! You found a way to make it work for everyone without a battle.

[Danielle]

  Audrey!!! I really feel good about this!!! So far it's working!!

[smiley4141]

 

Hi!  I was just checking to see how that was going!  Are you still surviving without having to spend all day in the kitchen preparing meals for each person? 

I hope so!

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!

 

[Danielle]

LOL things are going quite well! Since dad is back in town, he has laid down the law!! He told the kids that what ever mom chooses to cook, goes, but I do take requests and ask everyone what they would like, we take a vote, and majority rules!! It has gone great so far! Of course, I have to have my veggies on the menu, I present them to the family, and they have a choice in weather to eat them, BUt I NEVER force food upon them, I think it can lead to resentment and rebel causes, so I let them decide, I tell them that it is good for them and they should at least try it, but they are at the age that they can decide what food tastes good to them, that is home cooked meals.. Our family is trying very very hard to stay away from fast food, cokes and unhealthy things!!! This has been a challenge but it has gone pretty well so far!! Thanks to good old dad backing me up!He is great!!