Main meals - do your kids eat what you do?

clairec79

I can't really answer in the poll.

Usually the kids have the same (although I'm vegatarian and dh eats meat, as do the kids - so sometimes we'll all have the same other times they'll have the same as one of us). However certain things they don't like - like chilli, so if we have chilli they'll have something else

sooty&sweep

Hi

Bit of both

We've all just eaten Roast Pork + jkt potato + veg and we've all enjoyed.

However some nights my husband doesn't get in until quite late or I'm going to the gym so often then give the children a meal earlier on and we eat later.

Jen

Contains_Mild_Peril

I don't have room for a dining table. I do actually have one with folding chairs that fit inside, but there's so little room to squeeze round it if we actually put it up that it's reserved for special occasions. The rest of the time it serves as a gaming table in my teenage son's bedroom.
I often cook him different meals because he eats meat and I don't, and he dislikes most of the vegetables I eat. I usually give him more fruit than I eat, since he doesn't eat as much veg. When we were with his dad I sometimes cooked 3 different meals because his dad's quite a fussy eater and likes a lot of fried food, whereas I and my son would only eat fried food occaionally. Even if they were eating basically the same thing, hubby would insist on having his bacon fried while DS would have it grilled, etc.

moneypooh

We all eat the same meals at the table every night, and meal times vary according to social events.
I appreciate that we all have different tastes and as long as they try it first then they we adapt next time. Neither of mine liked chilli sauce at first so we gave small portions without the chilli and a bit on the side - now they both have full chilli. My DS covers the veggies he doesn't like (not many) with tomato ketchup and will eat anything with that.

penguin83

We usually eat the same things but not at the same time. DS has the same food day in day out (pasta, piece of cheese, jelly!) and usually has that at nursery about 4 but DD has her tea at about 5 after she is home from school, I have mine about 8 when I get home from work and OH doesnt eat after about 3 as he works nights - when (if) we are all at home together we do eat together then. x x

dangers

We (dh & I) eat later than our 2 boys - generally when they have gone to bed. However, they will always eat at the table for their tea, regardless of whether it is a sandwich or something cooked. I do not pander to them, but will take into consideration their suggestions as to what they want. They are both very good eaters and will generally eat anything I put in front of them.
At the weekend, we all eat together.

Poppy9

Generally we eat the same food and if possible together at the table. OH works shifts though so there are at least 3 nights a week he's not with us for food. On these nights I might cook something that DD and I love but not OH (he's not too fond of pasta as a meal but loves it's cold for a packed lunch ).

There are things DD doesn't like that I do, i.e. veggie chilli so I cook a batch and freeze and have on nights when I'm eating alone - usually DD drama night which OH may also be working. As she's not hungry after school but starving after it finishes at 7pm I treat her to chip shop chips.

I don't force anyone to eat food they don't like so if we are all together I cook something we all like. There maybe one veg on the plate that isn't hugely popular with DD, today it was spinach, but she will eat the small portion I put for her.

As a child I had to eat what was on my plate which I found upsetting as at quite a young age (about 4) I went vegetarian. Not just because I didn't like the thought of eating animals but because the actual texture and taste of the food made me gag. For years I was made to stay at the kitchen table with the meat on my plate until it was empty which I found very stressful.

Eventually I got caught cutting it up and dropping it down to the dog for him to eat. My mother gave in then and stopped serving me meat. This meant if it was roast dinner, I had just the veg. and gravy. If it pork chops and veg, I just had the veg. I was happy with this and if I was still hungry had a lump of cheese which I adore.

As I still don't eat red meat or fish (I now eat chicken) I don't cook them. If DD wants tuna pasta, sandwich either her or OH have to make it while I'm taking cover from the smell in another room:o

DD has always had school dinners and tries whatever is on so she's been exposed to a wider variety of food than in the home.

Ettenna

I refuse to cook more than one meal However if we are having something like macaroni cheese then DD1 will have macaroni with cheese (doesn't like the cheese sauce) or I will take off 3 portions of chilli with only a bit of spice before adding more to the other 2 (if that makes sense).

If they don't like what I am cooking then there is always bread n stuff for them to have .

We sit at the table together except if DH is working late then the kids sit and I eat and he eats later.

JF77

My DD is a great little eater but, my hubby does not get home till 6pm weekdays and this is too late for her to eat.

She loves pasta and, whilst I like it would not really want it more than once a week but I may give her it 3 times with different fillings i.e. cheese, ham and sweetcorn or cheese and tomatoe or creamy chicken and broccoli.

She has a cooked meal at school every day and is often praised by teachers for her manners, appetite and social skills.

As she is such a great eater I feel it would be unfair to make her wait till it is convenient for us.

I do make sure I sit with her and talk to her about her day at school.

Gingham_Ribbon

Mostly we all eat the same, at the table. But the youngest doesn't have his back molars yet, so may get something slightly different and they oldest is a commited veggie so I may put a quorn roast and a joint in the oven at the same time.

The oldest isn't a fussy eater, but I respect his choice re vegetarianism as I was a veggie for 21 years.