With toddlers this seems to be an all to familiar statement. However, usually at our house it's not the veggies we have problems with. Here are a few ways to get your children to eat heather...for any type of food.
1. Make eating interesting - We like to ask B and C questions about their food. Is it hot, cold, slimy? Does it taste like chicken, cheese, strawberries? For little kids this is a great way to get them to at least try something which is always the first step.
2. Don't ask if they like it - This is a big mistake I see people make. If you never give them the chance to say they don't like something but instead emphasis how much you do like it, they are a lot more likely to try it and eat just a little. E and I always make a point to say how good something is right when we start eating, this encourages the boys without us talking directly to them because they think, well mom and dad like it so it must be good.
3. Go shopping together - this is a great way for kids to learn about different foods. While you're shopping don't just yell at them to stay right there, talk about the different foods and where they come from. Just a few weeks ago C's therapist told me she was talking to a 12 year old who didn't know where milk cam from. This is a basic skill that we should make sure all our kids have.
4. Let the kids help you cook - many of B and C's favorite meals are the ones they get to help make. Yes, it takes a little longer and can be more frustrating but kids are much more likely to eat something they helped make.
5. Keep things basic - you don't need ten items on the table. Give children age appropriate servings of two or three things at each meal. This means there are less choices and they don't have as much to think about.
6. Kids won't starve themselves - you don't have to keep giving your kids other things because they won't eat a specific part of a meal. Kids will eat eventually so give them what's for dinner (even the veggies) and don't give them more anything until it's gone. This is easiest to start when kids are little but can be adapted for any age.
7. Make kid friendly foods - kids are more likely to eat things that look like what they are, example baked potatoes rather than mashed. It's a simple concept but not many parents think about the fact that when you're learning what things are and how they taste it's harder to remember if it keeps coming back in a different form.
8. Eat with your kids - once again, kids are more likely to eat what they see their parent's eating. If you never eat with their kids they can't know what you like.
9. Grow a garden - like helping cook, helping grow your own food encourages kids to try the fruits of their labors. For example, B and C have eaten a lot more eggs since we got chickens that they help care for.
10. Don't give up - just because your child doesn't eat something today it does not mean you should quit trying. Kids are finicky and will change their mind. When you serve a food they haven't liked in the past don't start with "I know you don't like this" just put it on their plate and chances are they will eat it.
Feeding kids can be a difficult task but it is something you can get better at. If you do have problems talk to your doctor. Texture dislike is common in kids and they can help you find ways to get around it.
“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Peas and Thank You blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”
About Happily Married With Kids:
The lotion sample was wonderful! I'm enjoying using it. It really does melt against your skin and smells delicious. I'm all for a lotion that smells good enough to eat.
About 6 Pomegranate Seeds:
6 Pomegranate Seeds sent me this adorable book mark and box to review. As an avid reader I'm always looking for great bookmarks and this is one of the most beautiful ones I have ever owned. I love the pointed tip for keeping my spot on the page since the boys never let me get to the end of a paragraph. This bookmark would make a wonderful gift for any book lover. 
My Thoughts:
Snuggy Baby sent us this adorable doll sling to review. At first B was a little unsure of what this thing was we wanted to put over his head but now that he knows how to use it it is a constant companion. Since we have little boys dolls are not a common thing in our home but we have found this sling works just as well for dog dogs, legos, books, or anything else you don't want your brother to have.
As you can see this sling fits B really well. C can also wear it with it being only slightly large but he wouldn't hold still long enough for pictures. I love that though this sling does fit B he still has room to grow and I know the boys will get lots of use out of it before it is too small. I am so pleased with this sling and the addition it has made to our toy collection. Thank you for a wonderful product Snuggy Baby!
The difference in the design between Sweetest Charms and other companies is that we offer the Kawaiiness factor. Kawaii in Japanese means cute. In each of our designs, we don't go ahead and design what it should be, we go ahead and go with the thought, "Why Not?" 
A traditional artist, she is influenced by Johannes Vermeer, James Christiansen, Aubrey Beardsley, Brian Froud, and all the people around her; whom she tries to channel by merging the old master style into a fantastical world filled with people she loves, knows and feels should be shown how beautiful they are. Almost every piece of artwork has a story behind it, often heavy with emotional symbolism. She loves the creation process and truly feels a connection with the items and materials she works with. It is not unusual to see her go nose to nose with a painting to see an individual stroke or touch and smell the materials she’s looking at using.
