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AIBU?

To make my five year old eat his vegetables with his birthday tea?

63 replies

Pregnantabroad · 07/04/2017 12:12

He's having macaroni cheese and chocolate cake (his request). Veg is always a bit of a battle and I'm going to do peas tonight. Do I let him off or not?

OP posts:

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Funnyonion17 · 07/04/2017 12:14

Gently encourage him but I'd not be strict about it

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honeylulu · 07/04/2017 12:15

Can he have it with some some sliced strawberries on the side?

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Wolfiefan · 07/04/2017 12:15

Never make food a battleground. Do the same as you would normally do. Here it's serve a small portion and ask them to try the veg. If they won't they clearly aren't that hungry so don't need anything else to eat!

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Rainybo · 07/04/2017 12:16

It's one night! Let him off!

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flapjackfairy · 07/04/2017 12:16

We always had party rules for special days so they ate exactly what they wanted at birthday teas etc
Didnt do any harm. All mine love fruit and veg and eat loads of it .

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booellesmum · 07/04/2017 12:19

I wouldn't put the veggies on.
Let him off for today- it's his birthday.
If they are not on the plate there cannot be a battle and you won't be seen as letting him get away with not eating them.
If they are on the plate and he doesn't have to eat them it is contradicting what you normally do.
If he questions the lack of veggies- which I doubt- you can say you just gave him what he asked for as it's his birthday.

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Florene · 07/04/2017 12:19

Can you mix the peas into the macaroni? Not specifically for his birthday tonight, but just generally if he won't eat them separately?

Or some other, finely chopped, cheese coloured veg, like Carrots or peppers.

#vegbystealth

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CauliflowerSqueeze · 07/04/2017 12:20

Jesus. Leave out the vegetables. Why set yourself up for a problem on his birthday ffs

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felinewonderful · 07/04/2017 12:22

It's for one day, it won't hurt!!

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llhj · 07/04/2017 12:22

Yes as it's his birthday I'd load 'em up. A pea for every day he's been alive sounds reasonable.

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d270r0 · 07/04/2017 12:23

Why not give him a choice of vegetables tonight, but do peas for everyone else if his choice is a bit weird! He might like cucumber, carrot sticks, cherry tomatos etc. better. I'd just give him his favourite ones.

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purplecoathanger · 07/04/2017 12:23

Never battle over food, not ever!

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TheWildRumpyPumpus · 07/04/2017 12:25

I always give a small portion of the bit they like and a spoonful of veg. If they want extra macaroni they have to eat their veg (as long as it's one I know they will eat) or try it if it's something new.

Wouldn't withhold birthday cake or anything though!

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nuttyknitter · 07/04/2017 12:25

Food is never worth fighting over.

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Floggingmolly · 07/04/2017 12:27

Are you serious?

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DoItTooJulia · 07/04/2017 12:29

Not worth it! If he must eat something fruit/veg based at least give him his favourite-raspberries/mango/strawberries whatever and don't make a fuss if he doesn't even eat that.

It's only your fifth birthday once!

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Notso · 07/04/2017 12:42

I wouldn't make any of my children eat anything they didn't want to ever.
I serve a variety of vegetables and all allow my children to serve themselves without any comment or pressure from me.

Don't let meals become a battle ground.

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talksensetome · 07/04/2017 12:43

Nope, never make food an issue and especially not on his birthday.

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MrsMeeseeks · 07/04/2017 12:44

I would let him eat whatever he wants on his birthday.

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FirstSeemItThenBeIt · 07/04/2017 12:45

Honestly? Birthdays are magical at 5, just let him roll around naked in some cake and hundreds and thousands. There's always tomorrow for cabbage.

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ItsReginaPhalange · 07/04/2017 12:45

I think carry on as normal, but don't make it an issue. If you leave veg off the plate tonight, I think that is making veg an issue! Oh you don't have to eat this tonight as a treat. So sends the wrong message imo. Offer it and don't make a big deal.

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WorraLiberty · 07/04/2017 12:46

Let him eat what he wants.

Just don't tell him you're 'letting him off' because that implies eating veg is some sort of hardship/punishment.

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ClaryBeanHorshAndMe · 07/04/2017 12:47

I think you could make some sort of vegetables/fruit he likes and just put it on the table as something he may take? Or just serve it up on his plate. Maybe he will eat some.

If not? well, his birthday is once a year...

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RhiWrites · 07/04/2017 12:48

Can't believe how many people saying leave it out. Serve the peas. Vegetables are not a punishment.

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Bumbumtaloo · 07/04/2017 12:49

It was my youngest dd's birthday yesterday (5th) and we let her pick what she wanted - she chose McDonald's. it's not normally something they eat and as a birthday treat we all had one. Today normal business will be resumed. She's having a party over the weekend and as well as party food fruit and veg sticks will be served.