Parenthood Thread

[SunriseChickers]

We did that when the teeth started coming in! To this day our now adult sons are not afraid to try new foods.
I remember going to a Chinese buffet and they had baby octopus, they wanted to try it. So we let them of course. The lady behind us was like they wont eat that. I ignored her and the tried and loved it.
The employees were so excited!

Yum! My folks didn't explore many foods with us, but I know that I'll gladly try new things. My little sister is quite picky however, haha.
Octopus is impressive! I'm sure my husband will give our kids all sorts of things, he eats some interesting and pretty varied stuff.

 

[R3bauer]

Yum! My folks didn't explore many foods with us, but I know that I'll gladly try new things. My little sister is quite picky however, haha.
Octopus is impressive! I'm sure my husband will give our kids all sorts of things, he eats some interesting and pretty varied stuff.

Thank you. Our rule in our house is you have to try it three separate times. The first time they will not like it out of spite, second time the may or may not like, and the third time they will honestly like it or not. Its been very successful for our family

 

[SemiSweet2391]

Thank you. Our rule in our house is you have to try it three separate times. The first time they will not like it out of spite, second time the may or may not like, and the third time they will honestly like it or not. Its been very successful for our family

How old are your kids when you do that technique? My bar is “look at it” for one of my kids

 

[R3bauer]

How old are your kids when you do that technique? My bar is “look at it” for one of my kids

We always did it. Whenever we started something new. My sons are now 27, 25, and 21. We now have two granddaughters, ages 3 and 1, and do the same thing with them.

 

[SunriseChickers]

Thank you. Our rule in our house is you have to try it three separate times. The first time they will not like it out of spite, second time the may or may not like, and the third time they will honestly like it or not. Its been very successful for our family

That's a great idea, I'll be keeping that one in mind!

 

[saysfaa]

This isn't to disagree with anyone else. It is just to share what worked very well for us.

We knew too many people had issues with food, like inlaws who fixed three entirely different breakfasts every morning for their three kids because each would refuse to eat what either of the others would eat. Then they still had to coax the children to eat. Two other families of our inlaws had worse food-related problems with their children. And there were many articles in the media about everything from bulimia to anorexia to obesity from emotional eating.

To avoid all such things, we decided before the kids were old enough to eat solid food that we would not "fight about food". I'm not sure that is the best descriptor but it is the term dh and I used to remind each other if we started to slip.

We served dinner casually (attitude-wise, not casual-vs-formal-wise) and they ate because they were hungry. And, sometimes, because it was what we were doing then (like they played at raking leaves when we raked leaves, or came for a walk when we took a walk, or anything else). If they didn't want to eat something, there was no pressure beyond mild surprise at such a strange concept.

They all ate pretty much everything they were served without much fuss until about middle elementary school age. They are close enough together in age that they were all that age range at the same time.

About that time, they brought significant peer influence home, and I had more time to try different ways of cooking (which didn't always turn out well). They would sometimes decide they didn't like something by looking at it. When that suddenly started happening often, we morphed a little. We required all of us to eat one bite of each thing served at each meal. Then each could decide if he wanted more or not. And, at the first meal of this new norm, we added except one thing of each meal. Because we think it is okay to have some things you don't eat or even to have some things you don't try. And ok to incorporate their input to some degree. It wasn't long before we were back to everyone eating pretty much everything without fuss and that requirement faded away from being irrelevant.

 

[R3bauer]

This isn't to disagree with anyone else. It is just to share what worked very well for us.

We knew too many people had issues with food, like inlaws who fixed three entirely different breakfasts every morning for their three kids because each would refuse to eat what either of the others would eat. Then they still had to coax the children to eat. Two other families of our inlaws had worse food-related problems with their children. And there were many articles in the media about everything from bulimia to anorexia to obesity from emotional eating.

To avoid all such things, we decided before the kids were old enough to eat solid food that we would not "fight about food". I'm not sure that is the best descriptor but it is the term dh and I used to remind each other if we started to slip.

We served dinner casually (attitude-wise, not casual-vs-formal-wise) and they ate because they were hungry. And, sometimes, because it was what we were doing then (like they played at raking leaves when we raked leaves, or came for a walk when we took a walk, or anything else). If they didn't want to eat something, there was no pressure beyond mild surprise at such a strange concept.

They all ate pretty much everything they were served without much fuss until about middle elementary school age. They are close enough together in age that they were all that age range at the same time.

About that time, they brought significant peer influence home, and I had more time to try different ways of cooking (which didn't always turn out well). They would sometimes decide they didn't like something by looking at it. When that suddenly started happening often, we morphed a little. We required all of us to eat one bite of each thing served at each meal. Then each could decide if he wanted more or not. And, at the first meal of this new norm, we added except one thing of each meal. Because we think it is okay to have some things you don't eat or even to have some things you don't try. And ok to incorporate their input to some degree. It wasn't long before we were back to everyone eating pretty much everything without fuss and that requirement faded away from being irrelevant.

Thats awesome! It just goes to show that there is no "Best Way" we all have to do what works for our families!

 

[HenriettaPizzaNolan]

We had so many people telling us we "Must" do this or "Have" to have this.
All we had to have was food, diapers, clothes, and a home. Everything else would work out

I love this advice! I'm already finding it to be true. It seems that all you have to do is provide the basics, and the rest is up to your discretion and preferences.

Sorry if I repeat a bunch of stuff already mentioned. I haven't caught up on the whole thread but these are just my off-the-cuff thoughts!



Baby-wearing seems to work for a lot of people, and my sister basically papoosed her now 5 year old to handle 4 other kids and various pets plus chickens. Even if it is just to get your hands free for making a sandwich, that can be really nice. It super helps if someone that has done baby wearing can help you and baby into the getup and make sure you are both comfy and safe while you learn.

My sister and I were both fans of baby-fencing. I only ever used mine in the house to create safe play zones/keep the dog out of baby-ville but she would take hers outside in a shady spot if I recall correctly with a sheet on the ground. This enables light gardening or a few nearby chicken chores. You can buy multiple sets for much more space than a traditional play pen. I even used them for improvised chicken isolation pens later on when I no longer needed them for kids.

Baby gates for everything, especially the dog if you have a bigger one Total life saver not worrying about unsupervised activity between baby and dog if you have one as part of the household.

I also had a monitor I could wander a bit with for quick outdoor trips during crib naps. I could turn it up loud and still get reception on my porch and stay nearby for short chore sessions (but I keep my chickens near the house so your mileage may vary with this one).

This is more general advice, but everyone does stuff differently! And every baby is so unique imo. I had two that were night and day, so it probably isn't always that extreme, but it is OK if people are like, "you should do this" but you find it doesn't work with your individual case. You are doing great anyway, just keep trying things until you do find what suits your situation!

Thanks! I do baby-wear fairly often. It was really fun in the summer when I could take her outside for long periods of time. But even now I wear my baby in the house while I do light chores. She likes to look around.

That's a great idea about the fence! I have had people tell me mixed things about fencing in your baby, but to me it sounds like a good idea. They can learn to get creative and entertain themselves for a while, and I can still work in the garden or do a few things nearby. Thanks for bringing this up. I think I'll purchase something for the spring.

 

[R3bauer]

Good morning! So I have been thinking about somethings about my boys as they were growing up. Each one has their own personality and it was fun to watch them develop it.
My oldest was in band since fourth grade all through high school. Ended up playing the SXSW music festival at 18 years old with his band at the time.

My middle one was the most like me, stubborn, hated school worked hard, loves cooking and was managing a million dollar a year restaurant at 24.

My youngest was also a musician and then went into the Air Force. Got out and is now living with DW and I and as he finds his own way.

My point is even if your kids are going a direction that you may not agree with or understand, as long as they are safe let them develop into their own person.