“My Kids Will Eat Whatever We’re Eating!”: People Are Sharing 30 ‘Parenting Fantasies’ That Just Didn’t Work Out
Nearly every soon-to-be parent has a pretty clear idea of how they will raise their kids. Some fantasize about a screen-free childhood, while others imagine their kids agreeing with every word they say. But the truth is, nothing changes their approach to parenting more like actually having tiny humans coming into this world. Because as every experienced parent knows, reality quickly kicks in when you have to deal with their shenanigans all day, every day.
Well, writer and illustrator Aubrey Hirsch can relate. A few days ago, she took to Twitter to ask fellow moms and dads about the parenting fantasies they gave up on "swiftly and completely" after having kids. She kicked off the thread by revealing her own dream that quickly got shattered: "My kids will eat whatever we're eating!"
Her question resonated with hundreds of parents who wasted no time offering their own hilarious experiences. We at Bored Panda have gathered some of the best responses from the thread, and we hope you'll find comfort in knowing that ditching your ideals is not that big of a deal. Scroll down to read these funny and relatable tweets, and be sure to share your own stories with us in the comments, we’d love to hear them!
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Yup. They haven't eaten ANYTHING good for them for ages. Then......just eat any old c**p as long as it's food. Very worrying time. It does get better.
There was a little over a year that my little family couldnt go out to a restaurant that didnt service chicken nuggets ...only think my daughter would eat ...I know, bad mom, but in my defense I was working two jobs and just didnt have the energy to argue with her about it
You know there are people in this world who do terrible, terrible things to their children. THEY are truly bad parents. Too many chicken nuggets does not make you a bad mom, and don't let anyone tell you differently.
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Our pediatrician told us not to stress over this behavior. Introduce and encourage trying new foods, but don't sweat it if you can't get them to eat anything but chicken nuggets and butter noodles 🙂
Children will eventually eat when hungry and do not die from a single missed dinner. Humans are awesome like that.
It is neglectful to let them go to bed hungry.
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My 5yo daughter's favorite food is salmon nigiri. She'll eat what we eat, and if she doesn't want to eat, it's okay for a kid to go without a meal from time to time. If she's really hungry, she'll eat it. I think it would be much worse to teach her it's okay to eat junk at every meal and that I'll provide a different food if she decides she doesn't like something.
It's neglectful to let a kid go to bed hungry. You do realize that you should just be feeding them, not forcing them to eat things they don't like or sending them to bed hungry, right?
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I grew up this way, actually. Worked for my parents. I'm still eating everything.
... To be precise: I tried and ate everything my parents ate. And they were trying new stuff, foreign food Exotik thing a lot. I loved it! Still love it.
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I had one of those! Age 0-3, ate anything and everything. Age 3-6 ever decreasing list of acceptable foods. Eventually began tolerating more variety, but would still probably prefer to live off of buttered noodles, hot dogs, cheese pizza and pure sugar.
Me reading this and realizing I have the palate of a first grader: 😕
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There is actually a biological reason for this. Usually children become picky eaters as soon as they are able to walk easily. Before that they eat anything given to them because parents control what they have access to. But once they are able to move around easily they are in danger of ingesting toxic items so are programmed to suddenly become picky eaters.
They're not hungry if they aren't eating what you make. This isn't a cafeteria, where the kid picks out his food . You're in charge. Tomorrow is breakfast. Believe me they always ate breakfast. If giving choices for meals, say a is this, & b is this, now make your choice. This is it. Take it or go hungry.
Kids Dr said, as long they eat don't worry if its only pizza, pasta Bolognese and lasagna.
Have that rule. Have always had that rule. Their school is even stricter about trying a bite no matter how consistently you have loathed something. I have two super picky kids (one who has a short consistent list of "kid foods" he'll eat and that's it, and one who likes trying things but has a long and eclectic list of things she won't touch) and one who will eat almost anything. We enforce trying things, especially if it's been awhile since you tried it. We work on how to be polite about your preferences, including how to silently pick the worst offenders out and how to take two bites then move stuff around your plate when you need to be extra polite. But everyone has food preferences, not liking a food is entirely personal and morally neutral, I'm not interested in breaking my kids of their preferences. On the pick your battles front, bananas and sour cream don't even make the top 100.
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Chicken. Nothing but chicken. Different restaurants, sure, but always chicken.
Only thing I quit for a while was red meat. I kept up on chicken, fish, and all sorts of other things
My kids did eat whatever the parents are because I made my own baby food from what I cooked..As they got older I did the age thing. Told them " You can't tell me you don't like it unless you tried it." 3 years old meant 3 bites or 3 peas/corn. Lots of times I just pureed fruits/veggies into whatever I was cooking. Start really young & eventually by Age 5 they're eating these things on their own
This is my fear. Right now she eats most stuff but I know it's coming
When my 4 yr old was transition from formula to baby food she decided pretty quickly that she wanted to feed herself, so we got the Gerber baby food squeeze pouches. She handles those very well, and one of her favs was spinach and apple; that pouch would be empty in a hurry. Now im lucky if i can get her to eat three green beans with her dino chicken nuggets, forget and kind of green leaf.
One of my kids was a really picky eater there was at least a whole month she ate peanut butter sandwiches. They knew what I fixed for dinner was probably one of the things I picked up for dinner. I even let them pick what was good or bad didn't fix bad anymore. The alternative was peanut butter. No treats. Worked most of the time.
I went through a phase I didn't eat anything but cheeseburgers when we went out to eat, no matter where it was we went. The fact was, I was scared to eat anything else but my mother's cooking. Her food was delicious and varied. I grew up learning how to cook, and worked in restaurant kitchens for decades, I'm willing to try just about anything, I can get a feel for how it will taste with the description of the item. I love food and love cooking. But those few years as a child... Cheeseburger or nothing.
Lol kids they eat whatever is good to them which if you don't regulate it they will just eat junk.
I had to eat what was provided. Once I gagged eating green beans and threw up on my plate. Mom made me sit there for hours until I ate every single bile covered one.
That has to do with the maturation of tastebuds, the whole circuit from tongue to brain. I had a niece who loved to scoop the olives out of martinis when she was under 2, but later, grilled cheese sandwiches for years.
Nope. The rule here is we have 1 meal a day as a family, dinner. For that meal, you will eat what the family eats, together with the family, or you will go hungry. I've only relented twice, when she would go days without eating. Until I found out the reason was never hungry is because she'd eat over at her friends house.
The phrase when you get hungry, you will eat what I have you is 100% true. Trust me, they aren’t starving. And they can protest. But they will eat what you served eventually. One of the first ways to show you are the authority figure is by feeding them chosen meals. Not their choice. Yours. One day the pickiness will cause them and likely you, issues. Nip it now before it’s been too long to do so.
That's neglect and gonna give them an eating disorder. Being picky doesn't hurt the child. It's important for them to try new things, but you should never let them go hungry
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... my parents had a great solution... easy what I make or don't eat dinner. Now I'm a very well-rounded and cultured eater unlike my husband who finds bbq chips too spicy and poke too weird. I'm slowly broadening his horizons but I can't imagine being that picky and being allowed to be.
You can have broadened horizons without being neglected. I'm starting to like new foods and my parents didn't force me to eat or go to bed hungry. I tried what they gave me and made a sandwich is I didn't like it.
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While welcoming the little ones into this world is extremely rewarding, raising these tiny bundles of joy is far from an easy task. Sure, it's easy for parents to come up with certain ideas while they are expecting and fantasize about what kind of role models they would be to their kids. But even the most level-headed people feel confused after how much children can turn their life upside down. Luckily, that doesn't stop them from doing everything in their power to do what’s best for their kids.
Mom had one on me in the 80's because I was a wanderer and without fail would always either get lost or hide. It saved her alot of anxiety with me
Parents all over the world deserve everyone’s respect for bending over backward to mold kind, smart, and simply decent human beings. But every now and then, they inevitably start to feel overwhelmed and even confused by their own actions. So if moms and dads want to keep their minds healthy and create positive relationships with their kids, they should try to set some ground rules and boundaries.
To learn more about household rules and maintaining a healthy balance when raising children, we previously reached out to Dr. Sarah Mundy, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and author of Parenting Through Stories. She explained to us in an interview that one of the main jobs parents have is to guide their kids. They must keep them safe and healthy and support them to engage in life. To do this, they also have to teach them to lead their own fulfilling lives, and setting boundaries is one way of achieving that.
Yep. Or try to travel with kids.... 10x more expensive and with all that extra work. No, I absolutely don't do it as frequently as I thought I would.
I fondly remember the EP-format VHS tape of old cartoons made by a relative who had cable TV. It seemed to have worked.
“It’s important that boundaries and rules are delivered with warmth and empathy,” Dr. Mundy told Bored Panda. “We are helping our children understand what they have been developed — not as a punishment but as a way of helping our children learn. After all, discipline means to teach, not punish.”
Once children become a little older, parents can start to involve them in creating rules themselves. Dr. Mundy said that more authoritative parents often allow autonomy and encourage independence whilst also setting clear limits on their kids’ behavior. “Children with authoritative parents tend to be more confident, have better emotional regulation and find life easier than those who have parents who are overly authoritarian (‘It’s my way or the high way’) or permissive (‘Just do whatever you want’).”
Yeah. This is a total nope. Getting sleep? What is that? Especially on baby #2
However, some kids and teenagers have a rebellious side and often push the limits by misbehaving. While this can make parents' lives a bit complicated, children are much more likely to respect household rules if they understand their purpose and know they were set with good intentions, the psychologist argued. “Have a positive relationship with them,” she said. “The more playfulness you have in your relationship with your child, the more you listen to and support them, the more likely they are to follow your boundaries (with a bit of push and pull, of course!).”
When they are older - yes. Like after the first year. Best way to avoid tantrums. Newborns and babies - no, especially not newborns, it's easier to just follow their cues.
But sticking to the rules is not always easy, not even for the parents themselves. “As a parent, I sometimes set unobtainable boundaries (normally when I’m stressed and my children aren’t listening to me) only to have to renege on them,” Dr. Mundy recounted. She said it’s best to avoid going “in gung-ho” when something isn’t going your way and you’re not as emotionally stable as you want to be. “Such emotional states aren’t conducive to thinking straight!”
Truth. Wearing pants when we're not going anywhere is not worth the fight.
I did them for all 4 of my kids- including twins! Used disposables rarely and appreciated them when I did but loved cloth. I found cloth wasn't too difficult, even when the diaper service we were gifted a couple weeks for closed just when baby#1 was born!
“Set boundaries that are realistic and achievable and don’t overdo it. You all need to learn and remember what they are and have time to put them into place. Try to help children learn that what is being asked is fun — and teach them how to do them or do them together in the first instance,” Dr. Mundy suggested. But if you lack the energy to create rules in the first place, don’t beat yourself up. “Reflect upon whether you are asking too much of yourself or your child and whether you need to look after yourself a bit more.”
Navigating the parenting minefield can be overwhelming, nearly every parent can attest to that. Luckily for us, Dr. Mundy was ready to offer some advice on setting healthy rules and finding balance within the family. First, she noted to think about what is important to you as a parent. “What do you hope to teach your child and how will you do this in a way? Don’t go overboard with too many rules — start early with small expectations of tasks that you can do together.” Then, make sure to consider what is meaningful to your child. “What are they able to manage? We often expect more of children than they are actually able to do,” the psychologist explained.
My nephew thinks McDonald's only opens once a week and only during very specific times of the day and it's not the same time every day it's open.
I think the "cry it out" method only teaches them that when they cry for help, no one comes. It's not self-soothing, it's crying themselves to sleep, and they only sleep through sheer exhaustion.
LOVE THIS! the whole 'don't talk back to me' is the worst. the kid is trying to explain themselves, answer sth u literally asked, stand up for themselves, the parent refusing to have a proper conversation + just wants to one-sidedly shout at the kid, or the parent realised they're actually in the wrong/mistaken + can't take it. kids' emotions, feelings, thoughts, rights etc are so grossly dismissed + negated. why are you, the parent, allowed to say your bit + express urself/ur emotions etc but the kid (still learning to communicate, understand feelings, regulate behaviour, learn social skills etc) has to just stay shut up, take a shouting/berated, can't defend themselves, + bottle every thought/feeling up? then they wonder why their kid doesn't want to open up/talk to them, express emotions etc later in life. i'm a firm believer of 'if u wouldn't do it to an adult, don't do to a kid'. u wouldn't yell at an adult + then shut them down. why would u do it to a kid? esp one at ur mercy?
If you’re ready for some new ground rules, start with a few simple ones to share with your child. “If they are older you can develop these together. Make sure you are also happy to follow the rules (when appropriate) and explain why these are important,” Dr. Mundy said, adding that you should try to stick to the boundaries so they would become habitual in your household.
I think of it as distraction rather than babysitting. Sometimes it's the only way I can get anything done!
One is absolutely fine. We didn't even do any until this year for my 9yo, and it's choir (her choice).
“If you come up with struggles in setting these boundaries, don’t panic. Think about why this might be, whether you are being too rigid or too permissive, whether you need more time connecting with your child, etc. Always try to take responsibility for what you did wrong and repair your relationship with your child,” Dr. Mundy concluded.
I can’t stand all that noise. I guess I was one of those parents but it was because I couldn’t handle the noise.
Children will rarely, if ever, be the same as the one before. Oh sure, I wouldn't get myself into a rage if they didn't have a third bottle ready for me the instant my first was done (as was the case with my brother), but I didn't eat a whole lot, so I would wake them in the middle of the night. And where my brother was very strong willed and head strong, I really should have gotten therapy and never did. Never get into a rhythm from your first child for your second.
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If she's with them from the start, she will love dogs. Did everything right. She does like dogs, but she's a cat person, although the dogs adored her and the cats didn't even like her when she was a baby (normal, babies are loud).
The girl avoided your indogtrination! The cats and their loyal slaves shall take over the world! MEOWAHAHAHAHA!
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There is no manual for raising kids. Like adults, kids are all different. You have to adjust your parenting for each child.
I commented this on one of the comments earlier, but never have any expectations from the get go, except that your child will hopefully be healthy. This will make you be able to roll with the punches better. If you have a line of expectations in your head, especially the stricter ones like not having any electronics in the house, you're setting yourself up for a horrible time. Just as your child will be learning how to live and enjoy life, you'll be learning how to be a parent. Just takes a step at a time (or sometimes a 30 yard dash, but that's besides the point).
"Because I said so". If that's your best argument then you've failed. My step-daughter will have a generally intelligent conversation about why or why not and she'll keep grinding away until I fall back on that. I did (she's now an adult and gets adult consideration) encourage discussion but dang...
Honestly, I'm thinking of just going back to our ancestral genes and bringing them everywhere with me. Sleeping with them, eating with them, and overall doing everything with them until they eventually start to wander. At that stage, I'll let them join me in what I'm doing, but they will want to play with other kids. I think babies cry so much because they aren't supposed to be just left alone in the forest. Aka crib. They'd be eaten. So they cry as a self defense. I believe that taking them everywhere will fix this until they're old enough to explore on their own. But, who knows, I could be totally wrong.
And by take I mean carry. I will carry them weather it be by backpack or piggy back, or side hold. Body to body contact as it is in the wild.
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I think most important thing is that as a parent you don't try to be perfect and know from the start that you'll mess up. And that's okay. No parent is perfect. As long as you do your best to raise your child to be a decent person and raise them with love and respect, you're doing a great job. And doing your best is all you can do. There's no guarantee that your child will actually turn out decent. Some people break contact with their parents even if the parents really did raise their children with love. Or turn out horrible and selfish. As a parent you'll always find that you could have done certain things better. And fat chance your children will hold certain things against you. It's normal. I hold things against my parents. My children will hold things against me. My grandchildren will hold things against them. But, one may just hope love and forgiveness is enough.
Your kids will eat what everyone else eats as long as 1) you don't cave in and give them another option, and (2) you don't eat weird s**t that normal humans don't eat, like Natto and overly spicy stuff. I hear people complain about this s**t and then ask them what they make that their kids won't eat... and it's like... no s**t, I wouldn't eat that garbage either.
Children are people and are learning just like you!!! :) Thats what i love about the little boogers. Cant wait to be a parent someday.
The reality of having a child, if you don’t want to change anything in your life or love your freedoms, don’t have kids! It’s a choice to have them as well as everything that comes with. A lot of people have them for selfish reasons and then don’t do justice to the child, as it doesn’t turn out how they imagined.
When we found out we were having twins I thought "yay" this is going to be so easy. How hard could it be to care for one more tiny nugget? NOT! I was so wrong! I'm not sure how I survived the first 6 months but somehow I did. By the way, I already had kids and my twins were a complete surprise. They are 13 now.
If she's with them from the start, she will love dogs. Did everything right. She does like dogs, but she's a cat person, although the dogs adored her and the cats didn't even like her when she was a baby (normal, babies are loud).
The girl avoided your indogtrination! The cats and their loyal slaves shall take over the world! MEOWAHAHAHAHA!
Load More Replies... There is no manual for raising kids. Like adults, kids are all different. You have to adjust your parenting for each child.
I commented this on one of the comments earlier, but never have any expectations from the get go, except that your child will hopefully be healthy. This will make you be able to roll with the punches better. If you have a line of expectations in your head, especially the stricter ones like not having any electronics in the house, you're setting yourself up for a horrible time. Just as your child will be learning how to live and enjoy life, you'll be learning how to be a parent. Just takes a step at a time (or sometimes a 30 yard dash, but that's besides the point).
"Because I said so". If that's your best argument then you've failed. My step-daughter will have a generally intelligent conversation about why or why not and she'll keep grinding away until I fall back on that. I did (she's now an adult and gets adult consideration) encourage discussion but dang...
Honestly, I'm thinking of just going back to our ancestral genes and bringing them everywhere with me. Sleeping with them, eating with them, and overall doing everything with them until they eventually start to wander. At that stage, I'll let them join me in what I'm doing, but they will want to play with other kids. I think babies cry so much because they aren't supposed to be just left alone in the forest. Aka crib. They'd be eaten. So they cry as a self defense. I believe that taking them everywhere will fix this until they're old enough to explore on their own. But, who knows, I could be totally wrong.
And by take I mean carry. I will carry them weather it be by backpack or piggy back, or side hold. Body to body contact as it is in the wild.
Load More Replies... I think most important thing is that as a parent you don't try to be perfect and know from the start that you'll mess up. And that's okay. No parent is perfect. As long as you do your best to raise your child to be a decent person and raise them with love and respect, you're doing a great job. And doing your best is all you can do. There's no guarantee that your child will actually turn out decent. Some people break contact with their parents even if the parents really did raise their children with love. Or turn out horrible and selfish. As a parent you'll always find that you could have done certain things better. And fat chance your children will hold certain things against you. It's normal. I hold things against my parents. My children will hold things against me. My grandchildren will hold things against them. But, one may just hope love and forgiveness is enough.
Your kids will eat what everyone else eats as long as 1) you don't cave in and give them another option, and (2) you don't eat weird s**t that normal humans don't eat, like Natto and overly spicy stuff. I hear people complain about this s**t and then ask them what they make that their kids won't eat... and it's like... no s**t, I wouldn't eat that garbage either.
Children are people and are learning just like you!!! :) Thats what i love about the little boogers. Cant wait to be a parent someday.
The reality of having a child, if you don’t want to change anything in your life or love your freedoms, don’t have kids! It’s a choice to have them as well as everything that comes with. A lot of people have them for selfish reasons and then don’t do justice to the child, as it doesn’t turn out how they imagined.
When we found out we were having twins I thought "yay" this is going to be so easy. How hard could it be to care for one more tiny nugget? NOT! I was so wrong! I'm not sure how I survived the first 6 months but somehow I did. By the way, I already had kids and my twins were a complete surprise. They are 13 now.
