Do you cook separate food for your kids or make one meal for the entire family?

1. 86

   LauraGTposted 12 years ago

   Do you cook separate food for your kids or make one meal for the entire family?

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2. 60

   livingpah2004posted 12 years ago

   I cook separate food for us and for the kids. We like to eat Indian food a lot and kids will eat it but not everyday so would cook pasta or homemade pizza or something different for them.

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3. 0

   Catzgendronposted 12 years ago

   One meal for the family.  If you don't like it there's cereal or pb&j

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4. 60

   momsterposted 12 years ago

   One meal for everyone. This is what we are eating if you dont like it go hungry. I usually dont have a problem with my kids not liking what is cooked. They eat just about anything. I also have them help choose what to have for dinner so that we can make things they like. When we do make dinner there is usually at least 3 to 4 items to eat like meat, 2 kinds of veggies, and what ever else sounds good to go with what is being made. When we have a bar-b-que there is several different kinds of meat to choose and a larger varity of veggies and salads.

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5. 63

   hoteltravelposted 12 years ago

   Doctors advise parents not to cook separate meals for children above one year. This is not as a time-saving or cost-saving measure. By serving the same food as others, children have better exposure to diverse tastes and dishes. This will help them improve their food habits and adaptive skills. I have followed this advice. Naturally, children like some foods and hate others. To make it easier for them, I cook the favorite food of each person in turn. Slowly, they will learn to accept all tastes and even start enjoying foods that they refused to eat earlier.

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6. 71

   edelhausposted 12 years ago

   One meal - period.  If you don't like it, don't eat.  Kids all over the world adapt to the cuisine of their country, that includes spicy and strongly flavored food.  Why should your kids be any different?  The trick is to get them eating your food right off the bat.  Eat what you love when you're pregnant.  Eat what you love while you're breast feeding (the flavors will infuse the milk).  As soon we were done with the testing phase of foods that my son might be allergic to, I started him on the same food we were eating minus the salt.  That's the only thing I left out.  I'd scoop out a couple of spoonfuls, grind it up and that was that.  My son just turned 15 yesterday and is a wonderfully adventurous eater.  He loves the thrill of trying something new just for the sake of it and will always at least take a bite of something that doesn't initially appeal to him.  Maybe some of that is inherent in his nature, but I'd like to think we contributed to his joy of eating just a little bit.

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7. 57

   Julius Leonposted 12 years ago

   One meal, when I was like 12 years my parents learnt me how to cook. It made me appreciate the meals my parents prepare for me. Now I usually cook for the family and they all enjoy it!

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8. 61

   Romian1posted 12 years ago

   One meal.  There may be a few exceptions but making one meal is very practical in everyone's busy schedule - no matter what generation.  I was raised by a great loving family and there were 5 kids in all.  The food was great but there were times when we objected but dad was very persuasive.  This continued until we left home.
   
   Making separate meals for young minds will just lead to demanding lazy adults who will do negative things if they don't get what they want.
   
   Growing up with kids, we continued the tradition with the exception of some spouses that give in to children's demands.  As adults we love to eat and cook and appreciate our parent's hard work of feeding us.  Between children's activities, homework, maintaining the home, maintaining the car, and working, providing a separate meal just takes away from parenting time and may lead to becoming a parent that will be bossed around in the future.  Children are keen enough to sense strengths and weaknesses.
   
   The one meal does not apply when we go out in restaurants or go to pot luck parties.  I may be strict but I can be flexible when I think it is appropriate.

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9. 39

   jinojohnyposted 12 years ago

   I think , one meal for entire Family, because by making different food for everyone, (usually family foods are making by our mother) , she will be so tired , can't take rest at all. And also one meal for entire family means its symbol of Love , care, satisfaction and unity

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10. 77

    lifelovemysteryposted 12 years ago

    My son went through a 'picky eating phase' and my husband accommodated this for a little while. However, we realized this was all about manipulation and we never again fixed him anything separate. He learned to appreciate what was on the table.

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11. 60

    susahnagrandeposted 12 years ago

    I don't have children but I have 3 nephews. I make one big meal but if there are a certain food they do not like in there meal I will take it out. My brother had a very picky eating habit and my mother took out different ingredients, he has Autism which effected what he ate. There are ways to make one meal and take out a few ingredients for your children.

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12. 72

    Ciel Clarkposted 12 years ago

    We have two meat-eaters and two vegetarians in the house, so we eat different food, but try to eat together.  My older son is twelve and makes a lot of his own food, and my husband cooks a lot as well.

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