Tip #3,982 • 22 people found helpful • 1 List Crank the tunes while cooking dinner as a family. Dinner prep dance parties increase serotonin and put everyone in a good mood before eating. It just might help get those Brussels sprouts eaten. Parenting meal preparation kitchen kids cooking family Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,981 • 16 people found helpful • 1 List Avoid bribing your children to eat something. This attaches negative feelings toward that food and they may never give that food another chance. Parenting kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,980 • 16 people found helpful • 1 List Don’t force your children to eat. This will lead to a power struggle. If a child refuses to eat, have them put away their plate and reheat it later when they are hungry. Parenting kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,979 • 20 people found helpful • 1 List Regularly try new recipes with your children. Let the children choose between three different options, so they have a say, but you as the adult are still in charge of the meal. Have them help prepare the meal to increase the excitement of trying something new. Parenting meal preparations recipe kids cooking Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,978 • 16 people found helpful • 1 List When introducing new foods to your children, pair it with something they already like. Adding vegetables to pasta, rice, or casseroles make them seem less offensive. Parenting meal preparation kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,977 • 19 people found helpful • 1 List Practicing proper table manners and dining expectations at home with your children makes eating at restaurants much easier. Parenting kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,976 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Once your children are old enough to set the table, keep plates, bowls, cups, and utensils in a cupboard or drawer at their level so they can easily help out. Parenting meal preparation kitchen kids chores Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,975 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Share family stories and memories when cooking favorite recipes with your children. Providing a history or tradition with the recipe will make eating the dish more special. Parenting meal preparation communication kids family Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,974 • 22 people found helpful • 1 List Keep portion sizes small when serving children. It is better for them to receive a second or third helping than to waste a bunch of food. Parenting kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,973 • 21 people found helpful • 1 List Implement a one bite rule with your children. When presented with a new food, the child must try one bite of it. They may not always like it, but it will help them keep an open mind. Parenting kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,972 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Use cookie cutters to make sandwiches, fruits and vegetable more fun for your children. A dinosaur shaped sandwich is way more fun than a regular sandwich. Parenting meal preparation kids Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,971 • 17 people found helpful • 1 List Flavor preferences change as children age. Don’t avoid foods unless there is a food allergy, a religious reason or a personal conviction involved. Try and try again. A child may not like something today, but in a year it could be their favorite food. Parenting kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,970 • 19 people found helpful • 1 List Avoid preparing separate “kid food” (chicken nuggets, hot dogs, etc.) and “adult food.” You are not a short order cook. Make one meal that everyone eats. The children will see the adults enjoying the meal and will learn to enjoy it themselves. Parenting meal preparation kids cooking Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,969 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Make a salad more fun by allowing your children to pick their favorite meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and cheeses to add to it. Parenting meal preparation kids vegetables salad Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,968 • 21 people found helpful • 1 List Children are more likely to try new foods when they aren’t sitting at the dinner table. Bring them to a farmer’s market where they can taste test a variety of fresh produce, meat, and eggs, then let them pick out something they liked for purchase. Parenting kids food shopping Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,967 • 19 people found helpful • 1 List Keep an open mind when trying new foods in front of your children. If an adult shows disgust for something the child will likely form the same opinion. Lead by example. Parenting kids food Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,966 • 21 people found helpful • 1 List Leftovers are a great option for school lunches. Involve your children in clearing the table and let them pack the leftovers into their lunch boxes for the next day. Parenting kids lunch food storage Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,965 • 24 people found helpful • 1 List When involving your children in the food preparation process, bring everything down to their level so they can easily reach items. Also, use a larger bowl than necessary to help avoid spills when stirring ingredients together. Parenting meal preparation kitchen kids cooking Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,964 • 20 people found helpful • 1 List Encourage your children to help with food preparation. Young children can wash produce and stir ingredients together, while older children can measure ingredients and chop produce under close adult supervision. Children are more likely to try something new if they are involved making it. Parenting meal preparation kids cooking Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,963 • 17 people found helpful • 1 List Let your children pick out a new fruit or vegetable when at the grocery store. This will help encourage them to try new foods. Parenting fruits kids vegetables shopping Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send