Different people look at this picture and they see different things. Quite literally, the picture is of a plate with a serving of chicken parmesan. I look at it and see a mouth-watering dinner option. The Fireman and Thing1 feel the same way. My friend over at Dragonflies@Dawn looks at it and probably sees a trip to the ER for too many allergic reactions to list. (Although she probably also sees the chance to share a healthier, gluten/soy/etc-free version in the comments section below, which is better for everyone. Hint-hint. Not that I'm hinting or anything.)
However, Thing2 looks at the picture and thinks, "OMG WHY THE FRUIT IS THEIR FOOD TOUCHING?!" I know this because when I showed him the picture, he vocalized his thoughts using just about that same phrasing. Then he launched into a monologue that declared his dislike for the meal, the directive that if that's what I'm fixing then he's eating something else, and a lengthy explanation about why some foods should not ever touch. Apparently it messes with the universe or something.
Little does he know, he's been eating chicken parmesan for ages. I just fix his plate a little differently. Here's how to fix a picky kids' version of one of my family's favorite meals.
- Fix spaghetti noodles like normal but replace red sauce (or if you're Italian, the gravy) with cheese sauce. Call it "long macaroni and cheese" if they balk about the noodle shape.
- Instead of chicken breast, use chicken nuggets and serve them on the side.
- Whereas you'd normally melt cheese over the chicken, try serving up some mozzarella sticks instead.
And there you go. While your picky eater's plate may not look like everybody else's (which is half the fun in being a picky eater in the first place) at least he or she is getting all the same foods so you don't have to feel like your family is eating several different meals during the same mealtime session.
What are some ways you get around picky eaters? I'd love to hear all about them in the comments section!
Becky
