I used to really like it - look forward to sitting down with my family - wife - 2 boys but lately I dread it.
I do most of the cooking.
The interactions between my 5 year old and my wife and I are the reason why I hate dinner time and no longer enjoy cooking.
He simply hates everything I cook.
If it isn't hot dogs, fish sticks or peanut butter and jelly he won't have any thing to do with it. Carrots are pretty much the only vegetable he'll eat without a fight.
He eats well during the day usually. Great at breakfast, great at lunch. He snacks healthily with fruits and nuts but dinner time is always a struggle. Over time I have learned simply to let the amount he eats go because I know that isn't important.
I'm learning to not care about really IF he eats much at dinner.
The thing that kills me is the constant whining about this or that vegetable or other entree I have made.
Tonight I made green beans - as soon as he saw them on the table he started complaining about them. I picked up my drink and simply left the table rather than continue to fight with him and my overwhelming frustration. I was done, I am done and I simply don't know what to do.
I try to be an educated and flexible parent but I also believe in discipline and respect. I'm not what I would consider and 'experienced' parent but I don't really know what that is. I think that may be a 'grand parent.'
My 5 year old is 'Contrary Boy' - he knows my buttons and pushes them as a rule. I'm going to get him a costume with a cape and a big letter 'C' on the front.
I've read about it - I suspect he is just not that hungry at dinner time and that is fine. Like I said - I don't care what or how much he eats so much as I simply cannot stand the constant complaining and whining about whatever happens to be on the table.
My feeling right now is to institute a new rule at the table - if you say anything negative about the food I have cooked until dinner is over and he has eaten some of it.
That probably won't work. Nothing does except me leaving the table which leads me to believe that the problem is me.