Feeling Guilty

[Unregistered]

I am a member but I logged out:

Lunchtime is so stressful for me. I am legally operating but unlicensed, so I do not get any kind of food subsidy. I pay for all of the food out of what I make, which is not a ton.

That being said, I believe that children need super healthy diets, well rounded meals, and that those meals should be all natural at the very least, and organic at best.

When I started my daycare, I bought that kind of food for all of the kids- organic and all natural. I have kids and I will only feed them organic food- I have done too much research and seen too many documentaries to know that conventional food is poison, the cause for cancer, and so many other illnesses.

So I served this healthy, wholesome food to the kids. Blueberries, organic yogurt, free range chicken, etc- very nutritious, healthy meals. I only buy organic milk too.

Here is the part I feel guilty about- none of the daycare kids eat what I serve. Am I crazy- who wouldn't want to eat fresh blueberries and raspberries? Home made sweet potato fries? I have had these kids for over a year now- the same kids. All they want to eat is goldfish, PB&J, mac and cheese, and junk food. All of the other delicious wholesome food Iprepare always goes to waste- so I stopped giving it to them. I make their PB&J (organic bread and pb and J), and I bought some conentional chicken nuggets (ick), and some canned mac and cheese and spaghettios, and they went crazy! So at leastthey are eating, but I feel terrible and like a failure for not exposing them to healthier food. They only like applesauce, no veggies at all. I have pureed the vegetable pulp leftover from my juicer and stuck it in some breads and muffins that I make so they have some nutrients. I feel responsible for their health, because I serve (mont of them) breakfast AND dinner. The other child I care for has doughnuts and chocolate milk everyday for breakfast-OMG.

As a result, I still feed my kids the organic food, and separate food for the daycare kids- my kids now want the crappy chicken nuggets. (Have you ever seen how a chicken nugget is made? If not, I suggest you youtube "Mcdonalds meat-deboner- you will never eat one again I assure you).

Anyway, I guess I am looking for validation. If the daycare kids will only eat things like canned spaghettios, p&J, etc, is it ok to let them have it?

[greenhouse]

My dck eats all the healthy food I cook- loves fruits and veggies, always has 2nds. He's a joy to feed. My own child is a nightmare to feed. I would never givE up on healthy food, no. Try different ways of preparing. I got my son to eat beets by shedding them into homemade pizza.

[littlemissmuffet]

If my daycare kids don't eat the healthy foods I prepare... they don't eat. Parents know this during the interviewing process. Unfortunately, so many kids are growing up on garbage food and developing terrible eating habits at very young ages... many parents don't see how they are setting their children up for failure by giving them this junk... and then wondering why they won't eat REAL food.

[familyschoolcare]

Op I would continue to do part of what you said make the foods they whant but healthy.

THe kids whant chicken nuggets either buy the ones that have only chicken meat in them or make them ourslef out of chicken breast. Mac and chees make it your self so it has rea cheese.

Did I understand your post correctly the children did not like the home made sweet potatoe fry's that is a new one to me.

[Heidi]

If my daycare kids don't eat the healthy foods I prepare... they don't eat. Parents know this during the interviewing process. Unfortunately, so many kids are growing up on garbage food and developing terrible eating habits at very young ages... many parents don't see how they are setting their children up for failure by giving them this junk... and then wondering why they won't eat REAL food.

same here, and no seconds until your plate is empty. I will not make anyone eat something they truly detest, like gagging detest, but otherwise, you eat what you are offered, or you wait until the next meal. smile sweetly...

For the most part, I also serve family style, so if they don't eat something, it can be saved. Once it's on their plates, eaten or not, it has to be thrown away. I also have a shih tzu who loves cleaning the floor, so that helps!

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

Ive read that MC D's post, even posted the link on my FB! So gross, havent touched it since

I have the same problem right now with all of my kids, dc and my own.:confused:

I think all we can do is keep serving it but less, and if they eat, great. happyface

If not, oh well.

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

Oh and yes I give my dc kids and my own, kd, canned pasta, pb&j, once in a while. It aint gonna kill em!

[cheerfuldom]

probably just find a happy medium. dont kill yourself trying to make every kid happy or spend tons of money on pricey organic options. work the healthy food in when you can and like another poster said, some kid friendly options are not going to hurt. you can get healthy organic mac and cheese options and stuff like that. try different dips too because that seems to be the key to getting kids to eat fruit and veggies. even yogurt as dip is really fun and healthy. you might also consider increasing rates....even $5 a week could help!

[SunflowerMama]

I agree with pp that you just need to find a happy medium. I bake our own chicken nuggets using whole wheat flour and flax seed, serve only organic whole wheat mac and cheese and bake yummy muffins and bread using organic eggs, whole wheat flour and organic applesauce. I make my own waffles and pancakes using similar ingredients and the kids eat them up.

I think you can find some favorites and make them healthier. And I also agree with fruits/veggies you could try dips, puree them and add to things like spaghetti sauce, etc.

I definitely wouldn't give up and try and document what they really love and just keep adding to that list as you try new recipes.

Check out pintrest.com for healthy and kid-friendly recipes. It's full of them!!

Good luck!

[Unregistered]

I've tried serving them the healthy food only, and they just won't eat. I was fine with that, because I figured that they would eventually just get used it it but noooooooo. I got really conscious when the father made a comment to me that they ate a lot of their dinner one night "they just kept eating, more and more all night. did you feed them much today?" And he keeps commenting about how skinny they are. That is why I caved and started getting some of the canned spaghettios and things like that, because I didnt want their father thinking they weren't eating.

To answer the question about the sweet potato fries that I made: 3/6 of the children ate them, and 2 of them were my own kids.

I just don't get it.

[Ariana]

If my daycare kids don't eat the healthy foods I prepare... they don't eat. Parents know this during the interviewing process. Unfortunately, so many kids are growing up on garbage food and developing terrible eating habits at very young ages... many parents don't see how they are setting their children up for failure by giving them this junk... and then wondering why they won't eat REAL food.

This exactly! I only feed good organic food and I just give them smaller portions and they can ask for 2nd and 3rds if they choose. It's odd that they never changed their eating habits with you but so be it, you can't change the world. I always try and be creative with meals so they 'think' they're eating junk

[Meyou]

I've tried serving them the healthy food only, and they just won't eat. I was fine with that, because I figured that they would eventually just get used it it but noooooooo. I got really conscious when the father made a comment to me that they ate a lot of their dinner one night "they just kept eating, more and more all night. did you feed them much today?" And he keeps commenting about how skinny they are. That is why I caved and started getting some of the canned spaghettios and things like that, because I didnt want their father thinking they weren't eating.

To answer the question about the sweet potato fries that I made: 3/6 of the children ate them, and 2 of them were my own kids.

I just don't get it.

Hon, it's not your fault his kids don't eat. This isn't something you should ever feel you need to hide IMO. I understand you want the kids to eat but you sound like you're compromising your values to jump through food hoops for little ones. IMO you don't have to if you're offering healthy choices.

[erinalexmom]

I don't post here anymore (but I still lurk sometimes! ) but I did want to tell you about the book "Deceptivly Delicous" its by Jessica Sienfeld and she used vegie puree's to make "kids foods" healthier. Its a great book and might be the happy medium your looking for

[Lilbutterflie]

I do agree that it is not your fault his kids won't eat. You should be PROUD of the fact that you are serving them healthy and wholesome meals, not cave in! I think even if you only find two or three healthy dishes they will eat even a little bit of; go with those.

I personally do not think that every now and then, infrequent meals of canned this or that is going to harm them. But if you take pride in serving healthy, natural and organic; you should not cave in b/c you have some picky eaters.

[PitterPatter]

I am a member but I logged out:

Lunchtime is so stressful for me. I am legally operating but unlicensed, so I do not get any kind of food subsidy. I pay for all of the food out of what I make, which is not a ton.

That being said, I believe that children need super healthy diets, well rounded meals, and that those meals should be all natural at the very least, and organic at best.

When I started my daycare, I bought that kind of food for all of the kids- organic and all natural. I have kids and I will only feed them organic food- I have done too much research and seen too many documentaries to know that conventional food is poison, the cause for cancer, and so many other illnesses.

So I served this healthy, wholesome food to the kids. Blueberries, organic yogurt, free range chicken, etc- very nutritious, healthy meals. I only buy organic milk too.

Here is the part I feel guilty about- none of the daycare kids eat what I serve. Am I crazy- who wouldn't want to eat fresh blueberries and raspberries? Home made sweet potato fries? I have had these kids for over a year now- the same kids. All they want to eat is goldfish, PB&J, mac and cheese, and junk food. All of the other delicious wholesome food Iprepare always goes to waste- so I stopped giving it to them. I make their PB&J (organic bread and pb and J), and I bought some conentional chicken nuggets (ick), and some canned mac and cheese and spaghettios, and they went crazy! So at leastthey are eating, but I feel terrible and like a failure for not exposing them to healthier food. They only like applesauce, no veggies at all. I have pureed the vegetable pulp leftover from my juicer and stuck it in some breads and muffins that I make so they have some nutrients. I feel responsible for their health, because I serve (mont of them) breakfast AND dinner. The other child I care for has doughnuts and chocolate milk everyday for breakfast-OMG.

As a result, I still feed my kids the organic food, and separate food for the daycare kids- my kids now want the crappy chicken nuggets. (Have you ever seen how a chicken nugget is made? If not, I suggest you youtube "Mcdonalds meat-deboner- you will never eat one again I assure you).

Anyway, I guess I am looking for validation. If the daycare kids will only eat things like canned spaghettios, p&J, etc, is it ok to let them have it?

I have kids just like that! Always 1 or 2 in the group that are so use to getting junk at home that's all they know. I mix it up and have some organic and some not. I don't serve things like spagettios at all but I will buy enriched pasta shapes (mine will spit out the whole grain pasta and get nothing from it) and make spagetti that way. I also jaz it all up as much as possible. Shapes cutters for sandwwiches and always add dipping sauce, ranch, ketchup with lunch or maple syrup or honey with breakfast. 1 boy here hated green beans! Now he dips them in ketchup and eats them all! When I serve fruit that they wont touch I squirt a dab of whipped cream on top and throw on a few color sprinkles. Anything to get them to at least try it. Now I admit I do have some foods they still wont touch but they have come a long way.


IMHO I say mix it up if you have to as long as the base foods are still nutritious!