This grandparent feels that one cannot and should not force their grandchild to eat, BUT encouraging them can be fun. In a previous article, “Disciplining Your Grandchildren Can Be ‘Tricky’“, I shared some tricks I had up my sleeve regarding that topic.  Now, I have some tried and true ‘recipes’ that I have used to make eating with your grand children more palatable.

Here are just a few delicious ‘recipes’ that I hope you will enjoy.  Feel free to adapt them to suit your grandchildren’s tastes.

A few months ago, I picked up my 3 and 5 year old grandsons from school. I brought them home and started to prepare lunch.  My daughter had informed me that the 3 year old was fussy with food lately so I was ready.

The 3 year old announced that he was not hungry. With a matter of fact tone, I replied, “Don’t’ eat.  Please don’t eat.  I don’t want you getting strong and certainly don’t want you getting bigger.  I don’t want you getting big like your Daddy and strong like your uncle.”

There was some interest.  So I then focused on the 5 year old.  I asked my big boy if I could feel his muscles while he was eating.

I then reported, “Your muscle on this side of your arm is definitely getting bigger.  I can feel it. Can I feel your other arm when you eat some more?  But, are you sure you want to get big?  I don’t want you getting bigger. Then you are going to run really fast and for sure I won’t be able to catch you.“ (Insert any activity that is enjoyed by the child)

“Grandma,” said the 3 year old, “I want to get big, and I want to eat my lunch.”

“Are you sure?”  I responded with concern.

“Grandma, will you feel my muscles?”  Asked the little one, fearing he could miss a muscle evaluating experience.

“I promise I will if you eat your lunch,”  I replied.

When the children were a little younger, my meal preparations would consist of these conversations.

“What would you like for lunch today?”  “I was thinking of making something very special.  How about bugs and flies on toast?”  I asked.

“Grandma, that is silly.”  They replied.

“Okay, how about peanut butter and dirt?”  I asked.

As most chefs do, I also invented clever titles for my recipes.  Here are just a few:

‘Spiderman Grilled Cheese’

‘Batman Spaghetti”

‘Superman Scrambled Eggs’

My grandchildren loved their food labeled in this way and I believe enjoyed their meals more because of it.

They also delighted in becoming involved in meal preparation. Below are just a few simple stress-free suggestions.

“Is there any one here who can scramble the Batman eggs?”

“I need someone, who is big; to help me set the table.”

“I was wondering if someone could stir the macaroni and cheese with my special big spoon.”

This grand parent feels it is more about creating smile memories then full tummies.  Perhaps, both can be accomplished. What do you think?

I welcome your ideas since we can not have too many good “recipes” or smiles.

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Rickie Glickman is a regular contributor of mychildfeels.com. With her degree in education and years of teaching experience, Rickie examines parenting issues through the eyes of a grandparent.