Podcast Episode 10. Creating a Family Meal System that Reduces Picky Eating and Simplifies Planning [WWW]
I am loving all of our guests, but from time to time I want to interject a WWW episode, which stands for “What’s working well” I love sharing the big picture success that a lot of individuals have had by being deliberate about the food they choose, but we all know that when we sit down to make it happen that it can be much easier said than done.
I have often wished I could be a fly on the wall of someone’s home and learn what they are doing to make things run a little more smoothly in their home, so I want to give you that opportunity today to see what we’re doing to prepare our boys to nourish themselves once they leave the home. Now of course it will be up to them to choose what they are going to do, but I want to do all that lies within my power to equip them with the knowledge and experience they need to be off to a great start.
10. Creating a Family Meal System that Reduces Picky Eating and Simplifies Planning [WWW]
I am loving all of our guests, but from time to time I want to interject a WWW episode, which stands for “What’s working well” I love sharing the big picture success that a lot of individuals have had by being deliberate about the food they choose, but we all know that when we sit down to make it happen that it can be much easier said than done.
Meals my boys are making:
Things to remember from this episode:
- Benefits of teaching kids to cook
- They are prepared to feed themselves nourishing food when they leave the home
- They recognize the time effort that goes into meals become more grateful and less picky and entitled
- Having a set schedule reduces the need to plan
- Having children cook can totally change the experience of having company for dinner as it takes the pressure off you and builds confidence in the child
- How to be successful
- Set clear expectations and boundaries, but allow the child to choose a favorite meal within those boundaries
- Spell out your expectations in a printed, bulleted list
- Schedule the meal to be recurring at least 4-5 times – a week in the summer or once a week for a month to allow the child to gain proficiency
- Create a binder of recipes just for the kids to make it especially easy to find their favorites
- Finally, abandon perfectionism, embrace the effective over the efficient path and start small to allow for quick wins that will build momentum.
- My friend, you are doing a great job! I hope you will take note of all the things you are already doing well and find a thing or two you can do that will make things run more smoothly in your home.