Today I was trying to figure out what to feed my kids for lunch. Everything I suggested they rejected. Everything they wanted we did not have or couldn’t have like ice cream, which Alysta requested. As I searched through the cupboards, finding a box of macaroni and cheese that they didn’t want, and the fridge where the leftovers were rejected as well, I was struck with inspiration. “How about if we make shape sandwiches?” I asked.
My suggestion was met with a chorus of yes when only minutes before they had refused peanut butter sandwiches. I pulled down the bag of cookie cutters and let each of them choose a shape. Tyler chose a bat, Alysta a chick, and Kelsey a heart. I made their sandwiches and used the cookie cutter to cut out each of their shapes. They happily devoured their “cool” sandwiches. Although Alysta didn’t want to eat her chick at first, because it was too cute.
This experience reminded me that as parents we can oftentimes turn something that is not as enjoyable or boring, like a peanut butter sandwich, into something fun with a little creativity. Try applying this idea to cleaning up, folding the laundry, or other foods.
Turn picking up the toys into a game. Put on some upbeat music and tell each child that they have five minutes to see who can pick up the most toys. Have each child keep track of how many toys they clean up. The winner could get a family cheer, an extra scoop of ice cream, to stay up 10 minutes later, a sticker on a winner chart, or anything else. With older children you could have a room-cleaning contest. With the first person to get their room clean receiving some type of prize. If one child’s room is decidedly messier than the others you can join forces to make it fair and help them clean. Have laundry-folding competitions as well.
Mealtime can be made more fun by spicing it up like I did today. Cut shapes out of meat, sandwiches, toast, etc. Make a face out of the food on your child’s plate. When you dress the food up and make it fun your child is more likely to eat it.
So next time your children are protesting or can’t decide what to eat make it fun and enjoy the difference it makes.