Do you make different meals for the family dinner?

[fairycakes69]

Hi this is an age old thing in our house, all 5 of our kids were brought up on the same foods, good wholesome dinners, so why is it when they turned into teens they went fussy about what they eat? They are now in their late teens early 20's and seem to be getting worse. 3 don't like even a hint of spice, 2 of that 3 don't like tatties in any form, one just seems to live on pasta. It drives me insane, trying to think of dinners that they will all eat. Don't get me wrong they are quite happy to cook for themselves and they all do at week ends, well maybe not cook more take aways and heating in the microwave. But we all sit round the table and eat tea during the week. Anyone else have this hassel?

[joeluke]

Wouldn't happen in my house, if they didn't like what their mother was serving up for tea then they'd be told to find sustenance elsewhere

Stop pandering to them, they are young adults now

[mollykins]

I'm 17, if my parents are having something i don't like i make myself something else or if they're having a roast dinner with chicken for example i might use the chicken to make a salad or something with pasta . . .

[sherrardk]

My children are generally very good but I will make different meals for them if needed. For example, if myself, husband and the eldest are having a curry then I will make the others something else. Usually the children and my husband eat the same thing and I have something when the youngest have gone to bed (I am a very fussy eater and if my husband is late in I don't tend to eat with the children as you don't get any peace - I do sit with them while they are eating though).

[ljdksa]

Mine are all given the same. They go through phases, such as one will say they don't like peas, but I continue to put some on the plate. The next week they are eating them. Don't have time for fussy children!

[liketohelp]

In our house our kids didnt have a choice. They ate what was on the table or they didnt eat. But, they had to sit at the table while we all ate. That works.

[aims1202]

I wouldnt do this my kids get the same and will do when they are older, if they dont like it and dont eat any they dont get pudding but they have to sit at the table with everyone. when they are in their teens i will still always give them the same and they can take it or leave it! maybe suggest a rota where each one including you chooses what they like each day so they each get a turn of having their favourite but they still have others favourites on other days. i bet its more about control than actually disliking the food.