My sister gave me this “Meal Planning” article she found thinking that is was right up my alley.  Right now my meal plan includes having 3 or 4 dream dinners in my fridge ready to cook and a variety of vegetables both fresh and frozen so I can throw together whatever sounds best when I get home at what was suppose to be 4pm but turned out to be closer to 6pm.  However the article had some very good points so I decided to share them with the great wide web.  I have a lot to share so I will do it in three parts Who, What, & When.  Enjoy

Who

“Successful family meals reflect the unique personalities and characteristics of each family member.  This doesn’t mean that broccoli is removed from the menu to please four-year-old Johnny.”  I thought this was a very ingenious insight.  Each night you could focus on a different family member so that everyone gets to eat thinigs they like. Then Mom & Dad don’t always have to eat “Kid Friendly” dinners. 

My one year old is just starting to really develop taste buds.  I can tell because she reacts to different foods instead of just enhaling everything.  Sometimes I think her meals are just about getting calories but yet I want her to eat a variety of foods and like them.  This made me think back to how my mom handled dinner time and I remembered a very traumatic yet effective dinner experience.  I hated beans growing up (all kinds) and one night for dinner my mom made bean soup, apparently she LOVED beans.  I was devastated because in my house you ate what was for dinner no substitutions or special orders.  So I ate the rolls that went with the soup and stirred my soup around while everyone talked and ate.  Then when it was time to clear the table my mother realized I hadn’t eaten any soup at all.  I was told I had to sit at the table until I had eaten my soup, ALL OF IT!  At the time I thought it was cruel and unusual punishment but it was a very small bowl of soup and I was being taught a lesson more than anything.  I was a stubborn child and I sat there for 3 hours.  Finally my sisters friend (now my sister-in-law) came over to visit and helped me choke down my cold soup.  I tell this story because it is funny and because from that point on I ate at least one bite of everything while it was still warm (gross food is usually a little better warm). 

I grew up enjoying meal time with my family, in fact some of my favorite memories are around the dinner table.  I look back on that specific dinner as a learning experience, not a life shattering relationship ender .  So I have decided to have Reagan, try at least a bite of everything I make.  I am pretty sure she will love and hate me for it.