i can't be bothered

liuhut

Hi Claire
I know exactly what you mean. My DD's drive me mad with their fussy eating and it really annoys me when I have spent time cooking. I made Lasagne for the first time last week. The first time they had it they pushed it round their plates....last night I did it again and invited one of DD1's friends round ( I already knew that she LOVES lasagne) so she sits there tucking into it and my DD's ate ALMOST all of it!!! success!!
Will def be using that one again!! I've decided to introduce one new dish a week and go from there. Have got my takeaway pots from tonight and am going to do some batch cooking on Sunday with OH

lbnblbnb

I am going to sound like such a hard mother, but....
before we had kids we spent a lot of time with SIL, BIL and their two kids. They had always been offered choices, and were never allowed to get hungry. We were horrified by what we observed. The kids would often choose one meal, then once it was on the table say they wanted the other choice. Even if they said they weren't hungry and wouldn't eat their main course, they strangely always had an appetitie for the deserts they always had, even if they hadn't eaten any proper food. The final straw was when we were on holiday and offered to cook the kids tea, and we were told to hide the pasta packet as if the kids saw that the pasta was a different brand (same shape as they usually had) they wouldn't eat it!
SIL and BIL ended up going to an expensive clinic to get help with the children's eating, and were told

• to offer one meal, and that was it
• if they don't like something straight away, don't assume they won't like it - new tastes take a while
• to not be afraid to let them get hungry (my grandfather used to say that hunger was the best sauce)
• to not let them fill up on bread, snacks, sweet drinks and deserts

They are a lot better now, but it took years. It has been rather different with our own kids, no battles, we just never offered them a choice, although we do now sometimes. DD will eat anything (apart from baked beans, strangely) and DS seems to like everything.
I have just read this back, and I know it might sound smug. I think that choice is overated, a good healthy diet and the ability to try new things is worth a lot.

jeannieblue

This may help - and may not....

It s an attitude I think. We all put pressure on ourselves. I admire all you who prepare and freeze. Thats not for me. I work full time, and consider my chill out time in the evening when I get in is in the kitchen. Put some music on that makes you happy - Abba works for me! And I get chopping - I love veg, seem addicted to celeriac at the moment and cook it all ways. Sweet potatoes - full of beta carotene (spelt that right?) Toad in the hole, mash of pots with celeriac or swede or sweet potatoes. Singing along to the music, badly, bit of dance, feel happy that work day is over... Chill out time and get some nice nosh to sit down with.

Meanwhile, kiddywinks are on comp/or watching TV/or homework/or are helping and singing and dancing along too...

Mad idea - but kinda makes it fun. Chill out time.

May work for you Claire :cheesy:

Bobbykins

Claire, I agree with everything Moanymoany says below, have added just a couple of comments

moanymoany wrote: »

Thursday - did you cook three meals - or were they ready meals? Sorry, just read through and saw they were ready meals. Chilli is only spag bog with chilli powder and red beans.

You could make up your own versions of these much cheaper.....make up a big batch of onions, minced beef, tinned tomatoes, a dash of Worcester Sauce and some seasoning in the slow cooker when you have the inclination. Freeze it in portions. When you want curry, take out a portion and add curry powder and some spices, spag bol?...add a tin of mushrooms and some herbs, Chilli, add mushrooms, chilli powder and a tin of red beans...etc

Baked beans are fine, think of putting a poached egg on it, give fruit for afters

Absolutely.....full of protien, fabulous meal

It seems that your children have been dictating to you. I'm not suggesting you give them food they don't like, I suggest you sit with them to create a 7 day menu that includes some things you can make double and freeze half for another time. Then they eat what has been agreed. I agree SO much, involving them in the planning is a sure way to increase their co-operation and making double saves lots of work for you next time... Don't allow a child to demand something else. It won't hurt them to go without a meal and it is a good lesson in life! If this happens give them a solid breakfast, maybe scrambled egg on toast.

jacket potatoes are a good base for meals. - YEP, then you can supply a choice of healthy toppings so they get to feel that element of choice and variety without you having to cook 3 different meals

Bobbykins

PS...forgot to say, don't beat yourself up about your week's menu, it looks fine to me

D&DD

I definately have days like this I do batch cook stuff like many on here so I have 'spares' in the freezer, and some weeks I just reheat these every night rather than actually make anything.. bliss :rotfl:

buxtonrabbitgreen

I know what you mean claire. I have an OH who thinks that a meal must be recognizable meat (not mince) with 3 veg. a DS who is a viggie but doesn't eat pie, curry, rice, potatoes except chips or roast, and who decides on the spur of the moment, ie tonight to go to the pictures with his friends, not indicating even if he will be in to eat. A DD who came in from school and went to bed and didn't get up until 8pm.
I am supposed to work 4 days a week, but owing to staff shortages and an out of work OH I have been working full time all year.
So to make you feel better. DS didn't have any tea, he will probably have 7 weetabix instead of 5 for breakfast. I had a jacket potato. DD had a tin of beans and sausages (all in the tin together) and OH ate some leftover curry from last night.
I intend to do some batch baking tommorrow, (my day off)
But don't really do any batch cooking as none of us are very keen on mince. I already get up for work at 4.30 am and am not about to start preparing the evening meal to go in the slow cooker at that time.
I do a roast on sundays and a giant yorkshire filled with veg and a quorn fillet for the veggie. Well I usually do, but am working this sunday.
And usually make 2 stews on my other day off. One beef, one veggie. Then I have to seperate the meat one as OH won't eat it if it has dumplings cooked in it. We usually have enough leftovers for the next day and it tastes even better. But I really hate the texture if it has been frozen.
What a pain it all is sometimes.
Yesterday I was at the DD open evening from 5-730. Then had to come home to cook. By which time hungry veggie had cooked himself eggs on toast.
The DD and I had sausage mash and beans, but by the time I had cleared up and made everyones sandwiches for today it was 11pm.

squeaky

If your OH is out of work - I'd be inclined to hand him a cookbook and a pinny.

mhe

This is quick to prepare, cooks on its own , is versitile and most kids seem to love it!!

Cut a couple of potatoes into slices leave skins on for extra fibre. Line the base of a casserole dish with some potato slices. Add a layer of sliced onions. This is optional - if u dont like onions leave them out or try sweetcorn or peas or experiment. Now spoon over half a standard size tin of beans. Another layer of potatoes, onion and rest of beans then a final layer of potato. Slice some tomatoes into thin slices and layer over the top to stop the potato crisping too much. Cook in oven 200C for 50 mins.
I also bought a microwave steamer in Tesco for £3. Cooks carrot circles in 5 mins and cauli, green beans in 3 mins so is dead quick and takes little effort.

I work full time and have 3 young children so i know how u feel but its better for them to eat your food than processed stuff.

donny-gal

Hey

Let's be honest now, reading this site will not turn anyone into a cooking lover overnight. I have always found it a chore, a pain in the Bum, and at times thankless, especially if noses are turned up.

You have to decide if you want to eat the pre-prepared rubbish available in the shops either cheap or dear, or you want to know what you eat and prepare it yourself. Start small, the slow cooker is the idle cooks dream (I should know). Get things out of the freezer a day or two before they dont go off that quick. Put it out on the worktop where you cannot fail to fall over it in the morning so you don't forget. If someone turns there nose up, tell them there is bread and jam in the cupboard eat it or have bread and jam. If they are old enough get them to make some meals they like so they can have them out of the freezer.

Decide if you enjoy what you are cooking?
DG