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[annieover]

Like most spoiled American children who have never had to go without a meal, my kids complain almost nightly about the food set on the table.  Although I do follow my mother's rule (no dessert unless you clear your plate), I never institute my father's rules (then you can go to bed without supper).  The other night we were watching the episode of

Comments

[jimbow8]

I know he doesn't get this, but some things really are better without hot peppers.

Blasphemy!

So using a competition or taste test may get your childrens to try things. I bet you're glad you discovered that.

[annieover]

It will probably only work once.

[lifepart3]

Tell them that one dish is poisoned and the other isn't. Then ask one of them to choose the dish that his brother will eat. I don't know how that will help anything, but it will amuse me.

[annieover]

That might make them cry.

[coconuthead]

This is easily the funniest thing I've read today.

[onnena]

I tell the girls what I'm making for supper only to have them complain immediately. In our house, they have a choice, dinner or no dinner. They always eat part of it, at least. Although I do like lifepart3's suggestion... :)

[annieover]

I don't make alternate dinners. They either eat dinner or don't eat. I usually make three dishes: an entree, a vegetable and a starch, so they tend to eat at least one of them. But I do wish they would stop complaining.

[a_kosmos]

Do you think they'd yowl less if they participated in preparation? Just a thought.... I also have no idea about the logistics.

[annieover]

My older one is interested in cooking and occasionally "invents" his own pancake recipes. No matter how horrible they are (raisins, cinnamon, coconut and orange extract really aren't a good combination), they still eat those pancakes without complaint. I know he'd eat better if he cooked with me.

[frumiousb]

Clever. It won't work if you repeat it too often, but if you make that into a special event it might bring them into food preparation.

[annieover]

They do like cooking.