Tuesday 16 July 2013

A Solution to Pre-Dinner Nagging


I don't know if this is common to most households, but in our house from about 4.30pm there is an incessant dialogue (read whinging) along the lines of 'when is dinner?' 'what's for dinner?' 'I'm hungry!'.
It frustrates me.
It drags me down.
Most importantly, it really doesn't make me get dinner to the table any faster.

It seems obvious to me now that rather than trying to negotiate with terrorists, I needed to take a pre-emptive strike.

So, I now start my dinner-prep by chopping a plate of vegetables to put out on the table. Two of my children are happy to eat vegetables at dinner, one is not. It is that one who tends to complain most of being hungry before dinner.

These days, if there are still vegetables on the table, there is no legitimate reason for anyone saying they are hungry. As a bonus, it takes the pressure off worrying about making a perfectly balanced dinner as I know they have already had their vegetables.





Do your children complain about being hungry before meal times? Do you have a good solution? 
I'd love to add more solutions to my arsenal :)

Linking with Jess for IBOT. It has been a LONG time since I blogged on Tuesday, but luckily there are many people who do regularly, so I recommend stopping by Jess's IBOT for links to lots of wonderful blogs :)

x Sannah
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13 comments:

  1. Anonymous16 July 2013 at 11:13

    good idea! will try this with my 5 year old but pretty sure I'll get nowhere. He is such a fussy eater. All my fault, I accept full responsibility! -Aroha (#teamIBOT)

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  2. J Bott16 July 2013 at 11:17

    I have been doing this one for a while too! Such a great idea.

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  3. Unknown16 July 2013 at 11:33

    You are too clever - this is so simple but wow - no guilt - no filling up before meal times - i love it because I absolutely get hammered before dinner. We are in the trenches together there - thanks for sharing, kim x

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  4. Kyla @ Three Quarters Full16 July 2013 at 13:07

    oh what a fantastic idea, I'm totally borrowing that. My little man is only three but he starts complaining of hunger at 4 and if someone gives in to him with a cake or treat he totally won't eat dinner. This is a much healthier way of dealing with it, love it.

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  5. Mrs BC16 July 2013 at 14:32

    My favourite pre dinner snack is a glass of wine, but this is so much healthier for the children.
    xx

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  6. circleoftoast16 July 2013 at 16:52

    Love this idea! It would help cut down on the dinner nagging, too, if they've already had some veggies.

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  7. emma @ frog, goose and bear16 July 2013 at 17:39

    My youngest decides that she cannot cope any longer and absolutely will not wait, so sometimes she gets herself a bowl of cereal. Thinkni need to try the veggie thing - might be a healthier option!

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  8. The Chapters Within16 July 2013 at 19:41

    That's a really good idea. I might have to try this!

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  9. Anonymous17 July 2013 at 09:49

    I do this too! Great minds, but then I wonder if it means they eat less, but at least they eat veges, I do beans, carrots, celery, frozen peas and corn!!! :) Em

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  10. Bright Shiny Apples17 July 2013 at 10:15

    Great idea :) We give vegetables as snacks inbetween lunch and dinner - but not thought about a pre-dinner snack :)

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  11. EssentiallyJess18 July 2013 at 22:28

    I hadn't thought of this either. I usually just give the kids arvo tea at about 3 and then they have to wait. My kids don't ever seem that hungry

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  12. Maxabella20 July 2013 at 16:49

    I like your style! x

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  13. ally21 July 2013 at 21:40

    I do this too - capsicum, carrot, mushroom, snow peas, cucumber, carrot - any or all of them on the table as soon as they start asking after afternoon tea.
    Or give them jobs... like setting the table, fetching wood etc

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