To dread picnics...

[Picklepest]

I've had it already. Up. To. My. Neck. 2 under five. I just take food with me to be criticised, ignored, left and mangled. Some recent examples...

Don't like ham.
I'll eat the butter/more butter
The filling goes that side not that side
I want those crisps not these crisps
Apples? Who eats apples?
Cold pizza is stinky
The pizza has something on it. (That's cheese) uuurgh I don't like cheese
I had mini cheeses at x friends. I'm not eating mini baby bel.
I want yogurt, open yogurt, I didn't want strawberry yogurt
I want ice cream with blue sauce. Waaaa no flake?!?!
I want chips. Hot dog. Anything shop bought. That's all dis.gust.ing

What's to like? So, tips to help picnic-mares please. Food ideas? Or stories of woe and elusive happiness....

And breathe.....

Don't like ham.

Not even naice ham?

Not helpful. Sorry.

I'd be sorely tempted to say "unlucky kids! That's all we've got" and start tucking in.

Just don't, I hate picnics and always have done. Maybe it's the thought of cold ham sandwiches and warm lemonade. I just hate them. Any chance of me going on a trip with an 'al fresco' picnic is my idea of hell. It may well be ok if an adult picnic but I am not going to chance it.

Sorry, I know it's not helpful :)

another word BLOODY ANTS ok that's 2!

I hate picnics too, for all the reasons mentioned by the toddlers. They make me panic. Give me a cone of chips and a 99 any day.

I love picnics. Take good stuff for you, and if your children don't appreciate your efforts, plain bread rolls and bananas (or whatever they're likely to find a 'safe' food) for them until they see the error of their ways.

If they are old enough to talk they are old enough to help prepare and lack the picnic. Then presumably they have an imput into the food. Obviously as long as it's fairly sensible.

Take heart op when they are teens they never ever refuse any food and you will be forever shopping.

To be fair it wasn't mn naice ham. Didn't see the point really. Watching what they do with it... I do say 'it's all there is' but then sound a feel a penny pinching grinch. Which I am as days out are expensive (travel, entry, yadda yadda yadda) but equally also a necessity to entertain run off energy get me out the house....

Most lunches at the mo are some sort of picnic. In a park, in a wood, in a play centre, on a train etc. I can't buy everything. Well I could but I won't/can't/bloody shan't!

Wasps send eldest into pantomime performances you really have to see to believe. Youngest tried to eat the ants. I'm a celebrity get me outta here! Stylie. Nearly choked on my warm lemonade. (Yuk)

God I wish I was rich. I'd pay someone else to do this.

Happydays made me snort my drink. I guess could be worse....!

Aww, poor Picklepest. Pack one of those cans of G&T for yourself. That might take the edge off...

Fruit loaf? Grapes? Sausage rolls? Mini scotch eggs? Try thinking/pitching it as more party food than picnic. Take their teddy bears for a teddy bears picnic along with Pom bear crisps and those Barny cake bars (teddy bear shaped)

Not a huge fan either, I like them to be done and over with quickly. Not keen on the fancy ones with potato salad etc, I find it awkward eating on a blanket with a wobbly plate and chatting at the same time whilst keeping an eye on the kids.

Drink is indeed the best answer to children op. All ages.

After a few glasses mine are the cleverest most lovely kids ever. Not annoying in the slightest

Wine may definitely be the answer

Best part of a picnic is the wine.

DC don't care too much about picnic but if I take cup of soup or pot noodles and a flask of hot water they are happy. Not all the time btw.

I give up on picnic it's cheaper to get a bag of chips than mess around with preparing food that will be wasted.

I pack mine each a pack lunch box - 5 yr old and 3 yr old tend to supervise (eye roll) so there's no surprises. It's not bad tbh as they are used to pack lunches at school

We love picnics. Our first was in March :) we take what I know she'll eat - cheese and cucumber sarnie and a yoghurt in a tube.

We eat nice things.

www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/9392654.htm?CMPID=GS001&_$ja=cgid:7915380167%257Ctsid:41259%257Ccid:162028847%257Clid:46591780007%257Cnw:g%257Ccrid:27989210807%257Crnd:11101863076709593372%257Cdvc:m%257Cadp:1o1

I have one of these, filled with any 1 pot kind of food. For example pasta bolognase keeps hot.

I do wonder if I put ice cream in it would it stay frozen

Hate school, joint picnics with friends. Massive one upmanship.

Having a non salad eating, white bread, plastic ham and sausage roll fan, who'd like a can of coke not orange juice they always embarrass me.

I don't do mornings, so I don't want to get up an hour early to faff about with food, when everyone would be happier with a pasty or the zoo cafe.

Also my didn't have much money spare money, just buying food out without worrying will always be a nice feeling.

Cook hotdogs and put them in a flask to keep them hot and serve them on hotdog rolls with tomato sauce.

My family