On the picky kids and food issue, I like the philosophy that one of my friends (whose daughter just turned 3) uses (and which I think she got from some book, but I don't remember which one.) As far as food goes, the parent decides what and when, and the kid decides whether and how much. So, basically, at meal time, food is put on the table, the kid is brought to the table, and it's entirely up to the kid which of the food to eat, and how much of it to eat. No pressure from the parent about eating. But, if the kid doesn't eat what's on the table then, than that's it -- the parent isn't going to make a peanut butter sandwich or whatever. Her daughter does seem to eat pretty much anything, from what I've seen -- I mean, her preference is ice cream and cookies, because she's three, but I've been out to restaurants with them a bunch of times, and I've never seen her refuse to eat something.

My boss is MIA, or at least is not returning my calls or emails. I'm not even sure she knows we're scheduled for this presentation. It's a case of too many people planning and me being left off some CCs, so I don't know what is what.

That sounds like a cluster and a half, geez!

I am supposed to be working right now. I've answered a few emails from my phone. But I've once again got a bad case of the "don't wanna"s and am telling myself I'll go upstairs and start real work in just a few minutes. A few more.

I think she got from some book, but I don't remember which one.

I think that's Ellen Satter's model of eating competence.

Hil, that sounds like Ellyn Satter's food philosophy. [link] People with children with food issues find her very useful.

Casper once ate eggshells, and is overall pretty adventurous, although she does not like dried or cooked fruit (she will not eat fruit pies.) Dillo is fairly picky, but not to a level that is concerning like some kids. He dislikes foods mixed, so soups and stews are tricky, and, for example, he carefully picked all the diced tomato out of his pasta the other night. We didn't do anything different with the kids; some of it is just personality/sensitivity.

(she will not eat fruit pies.)

What?! Her father is one of the great fruit pie makers in the Americas!

My daughter had texture issues. Partly I think because when she lived with her aunt and uncle, all her aunt cooked was canned veggies. By the time I was in the position to have her live with me full-time, she'd been completely indoctrinated. The only way I could get green beans in her were if they were canned, and a majority of vegetables. Although, carrots were off her menu unless they were raw. Also, fruit. She didn't particularly like fruit unless it came out of a can. It wasn't impossible to get her to eat a relatively balanced diet, but this was before they started offering most canned veggies with a no salt option, so I wasn't super happy with it.

I am informed that the chicken gizzards were not delicious. (I think it was at a Japanese place, the kind that specializes in Japanese bar snacks.)

Kat, I am thrilled to hear that Grace is eating some food by mouth. I'd been out of the Grace-loop, but I remember how hard you worked to get her even accepting a tiny amount.

So, basically, at meal time, food is put on the table, the kid is brought to the table, and it's entirely up to the kid which of the food to eat, and how much of it to eat. No pressure from the parent about eating. But, if the kid doesn't eat what's on the table then, than that's it -- the parent isn't going to make a peanut butter sandwich or whatever.

That didn't work for us, or rather at day 3 or 4 of Frances eating nothing but milk for 2 out of 3 meals, I relented and decided that a balanced diet was more important than denying my daughter can be a picky eater sometimes. Other times she'll eat all the things. Unpredictable.

My parents were generally of the "eat what's set before you" school, although we could opt out of foods that obviously made us gag. I suspect that was because my mother feels that way about some foods like lima beans and bananas. In my case, it was English peas and mashed potatoes (texture issues) and eggs, because, eggs.

Ahaha, I complain and my boss calls.