Dinner time at our house is never the same– between Brandon’s busy schedule and the kids wanting to eat on the early side, it is more often that we eat in shifts here. Add in the nights where I am in a dinner rut or busy days where grocery shopping wasn’t on my priority list, and you have a recipe for disaster.
I have a few go to meals– Skillet Tamales, Spaghetti, Chicken Noodle casserole, just to name a few. These I can make almost without a recipe, and I know that my family will eat them because they are favorites here! I try to give my kids a variety, but they have chosen favorites too– yogurt, fruits, veggies, chicken to name a few. Brayden is pickier than Kenley is, but all around I try to give them a balanced diet.
As important as meal times are for us, the most important thing I have learned is to pick mealtime battles wisely. If Brayden doesn’t necessarily want what we are having, I make him try a few bites and then give him something I know he will eat. No snacks if he doesn’t eat a majority of his dinner. Brayden is a snacker, munching on cereal, veggies, fruits, crackers, and cheese during the day. I keep tabs on what he has had and then judge how much dinner he needs to eat. It’s been a struggle, but its just not worth the fight. He mostly sits with us as we eat as well, and is learning to stay at the table until we are all finished.
Kenley has been a better eater since day one, probably because I was more relaxed and more inclined to get her to try a variety of foods in the beginning. (I learned the hard way with Brayden.) Now that Brayden sees what Kenley is eating, he is more inclined to try it, but I try not to bribe him in that way. Food shouldn’t be a punishment, but I DO want there to be structure.
It’s not easy and it’s not always perfect– but somehow, we all manage to eat around here!
What are your go-to recipes?
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