LOVE AND LOGIC TIP
One of the most common problems involves kids who eat like birds. I’m not talking about ravenous birds of prey or voracious vultures. I’m talking about little “chickadees,” pecking at “seeds” on their plates and scattering most of them to the floor.
Remember that you’re running a home… not a restaurant.
Don’t say, “Do you think this is Burger King? In this house you don’t get it your way.” Saying this is definitely not loving and logical.
I’m simply suggesting that you provide the same meal for everyone, don’t try too hard to make everyone happy all of the time, and reply to complaining with an empathetic, “I know. This is what’s for dinner.”
Remember that it’s your job to provide food, but it’s not your job to make them eat it.
Have you ever tried to force a child to eat? This is definitely a no-win proposition.
Love and Logic parents inform the kids, “Guys… lunch is served until 12:30. Just get what you need to keep you going.”
Remember that the only essential nutrient at a family meal is love.
When the kids complain, “We don’t like this. We’re not eating it,” reply sweetly, “That’s okay. You don’t have to. The only real reason for mealtimes is for us to love on each other. The food is extra stuff… optional... you don’t really need it.”
Remember that tummies are the best teachers.
Hope and pray they don’t eat. The road to wisdom is paved with mistakes.
Have a spot in the refrigerator for “Emergency Food.”
Every family Frigidaire, GE, LG, Amana, etcetera, should have an
emergency food
shelf, containing fruits, vegetables… and perhaps Spam. When the kids complain, “I’m starving,” answer with empathy, “Oh… that’s really sad. Fortunately, there’s plenty of free emergency food in the fridge.”
If they sneak non-emergency food, they can repay you for the cost.
My hope is that you enjoy meals and spend time focusing on love… not on fighting with your kids over what goes into their stomachs.
Dr. Charles Fay
