Picky dinner guests (kids)

[ree-Xi]

I thought I'd update. So we're at my sisters. They were making burgers, dogs and chicken. I brought chips, cheetos and roasted potatoes. Oldest kid (10) didn't want any of what his dad was cooking on the grill, so my sister made him grilled cheese (he asked for two sandwiches). An hour goes by, and he has taken one bite. She begs him to take "2 more". He refuses, then puts the plate where the ever-food-stealing dog could get it (on the floor in front of the tv).

Sister is furious. Kid says, I want a burger instead. Kids 2 & 3 ask for hot dogs. Well, all the burgers & dogs have been eaten. So dad goes and cooks a few more. Sister makes plates for all the kids (who have now taken the whole bowl of cheetos into the living room). Kid #1 says "I don't like these burgers, they're too big." (They are normal burgers you get at the grocery store, on a regular hamburger bun. He wanted the flat, 4-oz McD's burger)). So my sister cuts it in half. (I suggested to squish it down but that wasn't helpful). Then he says "it looks half-eaten. I don't want it". And keeps watching tv.

Kids finish off the cheetos, none of them had eaten a lick of real food (except for #3 who had a hot dog and half a cucumber), but ran to the fridge for ice pops, which mom said "no" too, but they still ate them. THANK GOD I had not hosted, because #1 was in a foul mood.

We did end up having fun, everyone playing outside, basketball, football, playing on the swings, searching for birds' nests in the trees (the kids LOVED that), looking for fairies in the mushrooms on the tree line, coloring (my favorite)... overall it was a great day.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I thought I'd update. So we're at my sisters. They were making burgers, dogs and chicken. I brought chips, cheetos and roasted potatoes. Oldest kid (10) didn't want any of what his dad was cooking on the grill, so my sister made him grilled cheese (he asked for two sandwiches). An hour goes by, and he has taken one bite. She begs him to take "2 more". He refuses, then puts the plate where the ever-food-stealing dog could get it (on the floor in front of the tv).

Sister is furious. Kid says, I want a burger instead. Kids 2 & 3 ask for hot dogs. Well, all the burgers & dogs have been eaten. So dad goes and cooks a few more. Sister makes plates for all the kids (who have now taken the whole bowl of cheetos into the living room). Kid #1 says "I don't like these burgers, they're too big." (They are normal burgers you get at the grocery store, on a regular hamburger bun. He wanted the flat, 4-oz McD's burger)). So my sister cuts it in half. (I suggested to squish it down but that wasn't helpful). Then he says "it looks half-eaten. I don't want it". And keeps watching tv.

Kids finish off the cheetos, none of them had eaten a lick of real food (except for #3 who had a hot dog and half a cucumber), but ran to the fridge for ice pops, which mom said "no" too, but they still ate them. THANK GOD I had not hosted, because #1 was in a foul mood.

We did end up having fun, everyone playing outside, basketball, football, playing on the swings, searching for birds' nests in the trees (the kids LOVED that), looking for fairies in the mushrooms on the tree line, coloring (my favorite)... overall it was a great day.

O.M.G.

Those kids have complete control over their parents and they know it.

*shakes head*

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I thought I'd update. So we're at my sisters. They were making burgers, dogs and chicken. I brought chips, cheetos and roasted potatoes. Oldest kid (10) didn't want any of what his dad was cooking on the grill, so my sister made him grilled cheese (he asked for two sandwiches). An hour goes by, and he has taken one bite. She begs him to take "2 more". He refuses, then puts the plate where the ever-food-stealing dog could get it (on the floor in front of the tv).

Sister is furious. Kid says, I want a burger instead. Kids 2 & 3 ask for hot dogs. Well, all the burgers & dogs have been eaten. So dad goes and cooks a few more. Sister makes plates for all the kids (who have now taken the whole bowl of cheetos into the living room). Kid #1 says "I don't like these burgers, they're too big." (They are normal burgers you get at the grocery store, on a regular hamburger bun. He wanted the flat, 4-oz McD's burger)). So my sister cuts it in half. (I suggested to squish it down but that wasn't helpful). Then he says "it looks half-eaten. I don't want it". And keeps watching tv.

Kids finish off the cheetos, none of them had eaten a lick of real food (except for #3 who had a hot dog and half a cucumber), but ran to the fridge for ice pops, which mom said "no" too, but they still ate them. THANK GOD I had not hosted, because #1 was in a foul mood.

We did end up having fun, everyone playing outside, basketball, football, playing on the swings, searching for birds' nests in the trees (the kids LOVED that), looking for fairies in the mushrooms on the tree line, coloring (my favorite)... overall it was a great day.

Yikes.

You know, I used to hate when my parents whooped my ass, buuuut...soooometimes...

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Yikes.

You know, I used to hate when my parents whooped my ass, buuuut...soooometimes...

Yes. This is a time when my parents would have said, "Do you want to eat, or do you want to get smacked?"

I accommodate for the special diets in my family (some low-carb items for the diabetics, onions/peppers on the side where possible for those who can't stomach them, and caffine-free drinks for my sister who gets heart flutters). But that's it. If you or your kid is a picky eater, you better bring your own food or stay home. I also don't allow children (or anyone, really) to mouth off in my home. I have no problem telling a relative's kid to watch his/her mouth. Luckily, my friends' children do not act this way.

Ree-Xi you have been more than gracious to this point (more than I would have been). I'm not sure if you have the kind of relationship with your sister where you can just say, "DO A BETTER JOB RAISING YOUR KIDS!" If not, maybe just try to limit the amount of times you invite her family over to your house. Family gatherings are supposed to be fun, not frustrating.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Yes. This is a time when my parents would have said, "Do you want to eat, or do you want to get smacked?"

I accommodate for the special diets in my family (some low-carb items for the diabetics, onions/peppers on the side where possible for those who can't stomach them, and caffine-free drinks for my sister who gets heart flutters). But that's it. If you or your kid is a picky eater, you better bring your own food or stay home. I also don't allow children (or anyone, really) to mouth off in my home. I have no problem telling a relative's kid to watch his/her mouth. Luckily, my friends' children do not act this way.

Ree-Xi you have been more than gracious to this point (more than I would have been). I'm not sure if you have the kind of relationship with your sister where you can just say, "DO A BETTER JOB RAISING YOUR KIDS!" If not, maybe just try to limit the amount of times you invite her family over to your house. Family gatherings are supposed to be fun, not frustrating.

That's more than I'll do. If I am entertaining, I'll let folks know what I'm cooking. If they can eat it, come on by. If they can't, sorry -- we can meet for drinks or something after.

And I have no problem telling ANYONE (children or their parents) to watch him-/herself if I feel like I'm being disrespected in my home. My friends know this about me, though, and will make sure that their children (if I haven't met them yet) are well behaved.

The kids that I have met already know not to mess with me

[33girl]

These kids will get straight when they start being invited to their friends' houses for overnights. Being called "babies" because they won't eat what is there will be much more effective than anything the limp-noodle parents could ever try.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by 33girl

These kids will get straight when they start being invited to their friends' houses for overnights. Being called "babies" because they won't eat what is there will be much more effective than anything the limp-noodle parents could ever try.

Oh, they do go to other kids' houses and sleep over. They also are in boy scouts and do those overnights. I honestly don't know what they do regarding food. I'll try to find out (and ask in a way that doesn't make her defensive lol).

I know that I should/could limit the time i spend with them, but in the end, they are family. I kept to myself when the food drama started, and just distracted myself by coloring with #3 (who, by the way, made me a book out of drawings, stapled it, made a cover for it, and just stole my heart). As I get sicker, more and more of my "social" time is spent with family, who understands my needs and limitations, versus a huge group of friends who still like to go to bars and party all night.

Thanks for the very helpful suggestions and insights. I think that the next time I host a food-related event, I will talk to the kid one on one and tell him that I am not going to waste food, and that what he asks for, is what he'll eat. No one can argue with common sense. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this isn't important, but when I throw a picnic or dinner, it takes a lot of energy, and I hate for it to leave it on a bad note. I want my nieces and nephews to respect me, but also remember me fondly.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

Thanks for the very helpful suggestions and insights. I think that the next time I host a food-related event, I will talk to the kid one on one and tell him that I am not going to waste food, and that what he asks for, is what he'll eat. No one can argue with common sense. I know that in the grand scheme of things, this isn't important, but when I throw a picnic or dinner, it takes a lot of energy, and I hate for it to leave it on a bad note. I want my nieces and nephews to respect me, but also remember me fondly.

Honest opinion, you know kids' attention spans are are short as a sip of water. Not to mention if they do listen, they will try you just because. You need to square this away with their parents first and instruct them on your house rules so you don't have to worry about this again.

If it's still a sore point, then as we all have more or less said, they can stay home or find someplace else to eat.

You are kind enough to have food available when company comes but it's not fair that you cater to their whims.

I hope it all works out for you!