Should children be allowed to opt out of eating food mom has prepared if they don't like it?

Question

I mean, on a REGULAR basis, not just one or two meals once in a while.

I think parents are letting kids put the emphasis on whether or not the food is good them. The emphasis should be on the parents teaching the kids to appreciate the food and effort put into it.

Answer 1

Me being a mom, I will cook, and if they don't like it they don't eat. And NO they can not have anything else. If you make other food for one, than the others want the same treatment. That is if you have more than one child. Then if it is one you keep doing so, that child will always want something different then what your eating, Even if it is something good, and they don't like the looks of it, they won't eat it. I say eat or go hungry. No they will not starve. If they are truly hungry they will eat what you made.

Answer 2

It depends... Some young kids do not like new and different foods, and you can't always force them into easily accepting new foods. I actually think that the aversion to new foods was, at one point, evolutionarily advantageous in young kids (but that's another topic). Some kids may be preprogrammed to have an aversion to new foods.

I think as long as the kid is willing to identify a reasonable number of acceptable meals, then they shouldn't be allowed to opt out of them. If the parents are in the habit of always trying new things, and the child hates trying new things, then that's a problem. The parents may want to consider serving more familiar foods to the kids until they outgrow that stage. There can be some 'try this new thing', but maybe only once in awhile.

Answer 3

I use to know a woman who would fix 3 different meals for her family because her kids would only eat certain things. Chiken nuggets for one, spaghetti for the other, and then what her and her husband wanted. She would have a ton of dishes to do and by the end of the night she would be exhausted. I think that if the kids have tried it and honstly do not like it then they can opt out on that particular food. But if they are just doing it to be difficult or to show off their new found rebelious streak the I wouldn't let them get away with it. I would say okay this time you have to eat it, but next time I'll cook it different and then you can try it that way and if you still don't like it then I won't make it again. Try to avoid making them sit there until they eat it though, that could be more trouble than it's worth.

Answer 4

Not a good idea. If children are allowed to opt out whenever Mom fixes something for breakfast, lunch or dinner that they don't like then the children become the bosses of the household. Parents who allow their children to walk all over them are basically not parents at all -- they're servants of the children. When parents don't exercise any type of discipline or authority, the children become little monsters. Don't get me wrong -- that doesn't mean children who don't mind their mothers deserve a beating; it just means that the parents have to step up, accept responsibility, assert the fact that THEY are in charge, and remind children that life isn't fair when faced with a meal they don't particularly like.

Answer 5

No... Parents cater to their children too much.

We are raising a nation of grown-up children that lack responsibility and gratitude.

Edit... your comment is right on point. Parent need to teach their kids to appreciate food, especially if it's different.

What I did with my kids, as many have mentioned, is that I have my kids eat at least a bite.

Also, I found that less is better and they can always get seconds. Sometimes, we, in the US, tend to pile the plates a little too much which is probably overwhelming the kids, especially if they are young.

Answer 6

If they have tried the food and hate it,then yes-they should be allowed to not eat it.The dinner table shouldn't be a battle ground,but a place of sanctuary and togetherness. Mom needs to come up with new ideas for meals. Kids should be able to enjoy their food as along as it is healthy. As a side note, many people change their food preferences as they age. As the taste buds and person mature, different textures and spices are better tolerated.

Answer 7

No, not on a regular basis. If they're younger, they need to understand the importance of liking what they get, otherwise when they grow up, they will be very low on nutrition, and that can affect their athletic and academic abilities. If they don't like it and they're old enough to cook on their own, they can cook their own food.
On the other hand, if the food they're refusing to eat is along the lines of brussel sprout jelly on burnt pumpernickel every night, then maybe the person making the food should try out some new recipes.

Answer 8

hehe.. ..parents know best eh ? I was in a restaurant recently watching a father force his 6 year old daughter to eat sushi. "Please Daddy no ! " Crazy. Think of all the food that we now know is bad for you that your parents tried to get you to eat. Give the kids the benefit of the doubt and try to compromise. It cannot be that difficult to find healthy food they enjoy. Fussy eating rarely last for long and the tears and trauma can be worse than the effects of the odd missed meal. Some of us are now at the stage where our parents are elderly and fussy eaters. You would not offer them or anyone else food they do not like.

Answer 9

As a mother of 2 that are grown and still are picky eaters. I made my son eat carrots for a week. each time he spit it out.I feel guilty today 20 years later doing that. SO NO I don't think they should be forced to eat what is cooked. They should try it however. At times their taste buds haven't developed. Make something they will enjoy eating. Still introduce new foods to them but not forcefully.Remember: These food jags probably will not be long lasting, and while this week, peas may be on the "yuk list," next week they may be the favorite

Answer 10

I personally wouldn't make them eat something they really didn't like but I would make them try a bite if I made something new and they claimed not to like it. I wouldn't make them a separate meal nor would I let them just eat snacks.

Surely there is something at mealtime that they can eat. My mom used to make liver and onions which I hated (still do) and I would always have to eat something. They never made me eat the liver but I did have to eat my mashed potatoes and green beans.