[email protected]

In a message dated 3/8/03 8:59:08 AM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< I could really write a book, but I'll stop now. :-) >>

Ugh. That sounds really awful Sorcha.
I was lucky on this issue. I do remember my Mom making me eat a little of
everything when I was younger, but then she got on this "no thank you" bite
thing and decided that was good enough.
We had to take ONE little taste of everything at the table. Just to see if we
might like it, but other than that there was no issue about eating everything.
I do remember my Mom cleaning up our plates after us though, and having
struggles with weight!! So she couldn't totally let go of some of the damage
she recieved, but she did try to incorporate new ideas into her parenting
style at least.
My kids are encouraged to try new things, but never, ever forced to put
anything in their mouth they don't want to.
Usually they will though. Because they HAVEN'T been forced.
I did try the "no thank you" bit crap when Trevor and Jared were younger.
Since that all stopped, they've been much more likely to try weird foods.
Unschooling has saved a lot of kids from unecessary torture. ugh.

Ren
"The sun is shining--the sun is shining. That is the magic. The flowers are
growing--the roots are stirring. That is the magic. Being alive is the
magic--being strong is the magic The magic is in me--the magic is in
me....It's in every one of us."

----Frances Hodgson Burnett

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/8/2003 10:27:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,
starsuncloud@... writes:

My kids are encouraged to try new things, but never, ever forced to put
> anything in their mouth they don't want to.
>
We ask that they TRY something new, but they may certainly spit it out if
they don't like it.

*I* do if I don't like something! Why would anybody keep something that's
icky in his mouth?

~Kelly, former member of the "Clean Plate Club", whose children never will
be!


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/8/03 9:22:15 AM, kbcdlovejo@... writes:

<< My kids are encouraged to try new things, but never, ever forced to put
> anything in their mouth they don't want to.
>
We ask that they TRY something new, but they may certainly spit it out if
they don't like it. >>

My "guarantee" on tasting things was they could spit it in my hand if they
didn't like it, and I would take it away. They didn't even have to run
gagging to the trashcan. A few times, a kid did take me up on that, and to
drop it gently in your hand after a taste isn't nearly nasty.

I've since made the same offer to adult friends. "If you try it and you hate
it, you can spit it in my hand," and I hold my hand out. <g>

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/8/03 12:37:19 PM Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< My "guarantee" on tasting things was they could spit it in my hand if they
didn't like it, and I would take it away. >>

Yes, we usually have the trash can nearby for those instances though, or a
plate.
But usually, if they're really unsure, I just tell them to touch it with
their tongue and see if it warrants further testing.
That usually gets them curious enough to try stuff.
If they don't want to even with that offer, I don't say a thing.
And interestingly enough, my pickiest eater will usually try something if he
sees us eat it joyfully often enough.
He thought he'd would hate fish....but he positively devours Salmon now!

Ren
"The sun is shining--the sun is shining. That is the magic. The flowers are
growing--the roots are stirring. That is the magic. Being alive is the
magic--being strong is the magic The magic is in me--the magic is in
me....It's in every one of us."

----Frances Hodgson Burnett