I realize how fortunate I am to provide meals for my children each night. However, there are moments when I find myself contemplating a quick escape to a hidden place where the only demands on my time are my own. Here are eight musings that often cross my mind during family dinners:
- Just swallow already!
Seriously, how long can a piece of food linger in someone’s mouth? Please, for the love of everything, just chew and swallow that chicken before I lose my mind and collapse on the floor in tears. If I have to witness one more prolonged chew, I might just scream. - How is your favorite food suddenly unappetizing?
Didn’t you just proclaim that this was the best meal ever just last week? Now, it’s as if I’ve served you a plate of rocks. When I adore something, I could eat it every day without complaint. What gives with your ever-changing taste buds? - You think that smells bad?
Honestly, how can you wrinkle your nose at the scent of fried chicken? What planet are you living on? Pizza is a culinary masterpiece of dough, sauce, and cheese, yet you act like it’s the worst thing ever. My brain is melting just thinking about it. - How are you full after three bites?
Just 15 minutes ago, you were famished, and I hurriedly prepared dinner for you. Now, three bites in, you’re declaring yourself full? I need to bottle that up because when I’m hungry, I could eat until the cows come home. - What’s with the food touching phobia?
So, if a microscopic bit of mashed potato accidentally touches your chicken, it’s game over? And if ketchup dares to mingle with other food, the whole meal is ruined? Seriously? Where are my keys? - I’m really doing this.
I’m picking through your meal like a surgeon, removing every speck of green because you’re picky. You’re crying for a new dinner because a chef had the audacity to chop a scallion? I’m desperate for you to eat, so I’ll do whatever it takes! - Please don’t tell me to let them quit when they’ve barely eaten.
I hear you, Aunt Clara. You think kids know their hunger signs, but when he skips breakfast and turns into a tiny monster at the store, you’ll be nowhere to be found. And when he’s starving at 11 p.m., you won’t be there either, so please, let’s not go down that road. - How can you possibly not want dessert?
I’m not mad that you don’t want the chocolate mousse cake, but I am baffled—how is that even an option? You could enjoy a guilt-free treat! How do you not want it? You’re my hero for resisting, but seriously, where did you get such willpower?
Despite the mealtime drama, I’ll keep pushing forward, providing nutritious meals and encouraging them to eat until they no longer need my help. Someday, when they come home from college lamenting about their freshman weight gain, I’ll remind them of the days I had to coax them to eat. Then, we can bond over a tub of ice cream and reminisce about those mealtime battles.
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Summary
Navigating the chaotic dinner table with kids can feel overwhelming, filled with thoughts of frustration and bewilderment. From their ever-changing food preferences to their picky eating habits, mealtime can become a battleground. Yet, through it all, the goal remains the same: providing nourishing meals and fostering healthy eating habits.