Marcella Peek wrote:
> In article <Qx9Ef.82513$4l5.20121@dukeread05>,
> Roberta > wrote:
>
>
>>Marcella Peek wrote:
>>
>>>In article >,
>>> "Bob (this one)" > wrote:
>>>
>>>>In our house, from the day we brought them home from the hospital, it
>>>>was you have to at least taste it. If you say "yuck" you never have to
>>>>eat it again if you don't want to.
>>>
>>>Opposite of our house. You don't have to clean your plate. You do need
>>>to help us all have a pleasant dinner time. If you say "ick, I don't
>>>like that" or similar you then need to eat it all for subjecting us to
>>>your whining.

"I don't like that" is whining?

>>>If you say nothing, but ignore it and don't eat it you
>>>will not be questioned nor forced to finish that which you do not like.
>>>Rule applies to diners of all ages. Works well for us.

And if the kid says "The reason I didn't eat that is because I don't
feel well," is that whining?

Interesting characterization of whining.

>>I was forced to eat too many things as a kid to make mine eat things
>>they say ick about - I was physically ill over several. I still won't
>>eat cooked carrots
>>
>>Roberta (in VA)
>
>
> But we don't force anyone to eat anything. We just force them to shut
> up about what they don't like. No whining, no problem. If, however,
> you whine then the punishment is to have to eat it.
>
> Easy.

Too easy. My note was more figurative than literal. The kids didn't
actually say "yuck." They indicated - typically when asked - if they
liked it, whatever it was. There was no whining because there was no
need to - no penalty accrued for stating the truth of their preferences.
It was matter of fact. I wanted to know what they liked or didn't like
for the next time I might want to prepare that food.

The other thing that grew out of that approach is that sometimes they
got to choose the food for some meals. They created the menus. Or they
chose the restaurants.

My parents were of the "clean your plate" school. I vowed that I would
never do that. The recurrent question for me was "How come it's ok for
adults to not eat when they don't like but kids have to?" So I wanted to
know exactly what their thoughts were about their food. I didn't force
them to shut up, either.

Pastorio