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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say no to pizza pasta again?

445 replies

karmakameleon · 12/12/2015 11:57

So I'm trying to arrange dinner with a friend and her family and she's suggested a pizza pasta place. Fairly standard kid food but my problem is that DS (3yrs old) doesn't like it. DS will happily eat Indian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican amongst other things, so I don't think he can be described as fussy, but just not pizza and pasta.

As you imagine this comes up regularly when we eat out with friends and in the past I've taken the view that DS can have some bread and fill up on ice cream after. But this time I've had enough and put my foot down as I just feel it's not fair on DS to always be the one that can't eat and ends up going home hungry. Also I know that DS really doesn't like pizza pasta as I've offered it to him a hundred times but I'm guessing that my friend's child hasn't tried half the options I've suggested. (The specific places I've mentioned to her all do some mild options in smaller sized portions although not specifically a children's menu.) And if the worst came to the worst, surely her DS could pick at his main and then have lots of ice cream for pudding like mine has had to in the past?

Anyway, the whole thing is proving quite traumatic, she's not taking up any of my suggestions and sticking fairly rigidly to her original choice and I'm getting the feeling that the whole thing is off unless I do as I'm told compromise. So now I'm starting to feel guilty and think maybe I'm being a bit unreasonable as it is a fairly standard choice. But then it's not DS's fault he doesn't like it...

OP posts:
kali110 · 12/12/2015 13:01

An awful lot don't? What about kids in other countries?they do.
Most of my friends i know grew up eating spicy food Confused
I only know one person who didn't.

SauvignonBlanche · 12/12/2015 13:02

he gets bored of having the same thing time and time again

How often are you going out for dinner with this friend? Hmm

Greengardenpixie · 12/12/2015 13:02

I do agree with pp that it comes across as if you are being a bit smug about your dc educated palate. I agree, dont let that come across. Then you are in territory of my child is better than yours. [ not that i think this - I just want to highlight]
My dc would turn there noses up at anything you have suggested minus the chinese!

kali110 · 12/12/2015 13:02

Why should it be op's child who has to eat food he doesn't enjoy?
It seems from her posts that it's always him.

cleaty · 12/12/2015 13:03

Agreed Kali. A bit strange to read that most kids don't like Thai or Mexican food. Does that include Thai and Mexican children?

Children raised on traditional British food may be less likely to like this kind of food. But silly to talk about all children in this way.

Floggingmolly · 12/12/2015 13:04

She's sticking fairly rigidly to her original choice. She doesn't get to choose every time; tell her it's your turn to choose, or just cancel if she continues to make a fuss.

Original poster
karmakameleon · 12/12/2015 13:04

How often are you going out for dinner with this friend?

It's not just this friend, but we eat out with friends quite a bit so often have this issue.

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 12/12/2015 13:05

Kali, that's unusual I think for this country. I know lots of people who don't like or struggle to eat spicy food, and I know lots that love it.

Generally, a child isn't going to be bought up eating spicy food if their parents don't eat it.

Greengardenpixie · 12/12/2015 13:07

My children are just getting into spicy food now.
I doubt a 3 year old would really enjoy anything that burns their tongue.
I think there is some food snobbery going on!

NoahVale · 12/12/2015 13:07

i agree with mcdonalds/wimpey

or just come to your's for a meal?

MyTeeZone · 12/12/2015 13:08

In fairness though OP eating out with toddlers is almost always hard - easiest thing is often to choose a place where bland, standard food is served. Surely three other children don't only eat pizza/pasta?

If that's the case then maybe have food at home then do an activity with them. No point making food issues a sticking point in the relationship. Don't bother going to restaurant if you feel like this will have an impact on the friendship.

cleaty · 12/12/2015 13:09

Spicy food does not have to burn your tongue.
Most pizza/pasta places do fairly bland food. The best pizza and pasta is at proper Italian restaurants.

NoahVale · 12/12/2015 13:09

if the other kids are too fussy to eat thai/indian/mexican you need to give in.
or say Next time can we be more adventurous.

nandos?

MyTeeZone · 12/12/2015 13:09

Three other children = these other children

NoahVale · 12/12/2015 13:09

dont fall out over fussy eaters, which all the children are being honestly, and you are pandering to it.

Original poster
karmakameleon · 12/12/2015 13:10

Just to be clear, DS wouldn't order anything that spicy. So as an example we would probably just order some noodles for him, maybe a chicken satay, so not burning hot. Then he will pick at our food and may or may not like it. But it gives him a base meal he will eat and some other things to try and he will leave well fed.

OP posts:
missmargot · 12/12/2015 13:11

DS is the same, he would pick at pizza or pasta but eat an adult sized portion of something spicy.

What about getting your DS a starter from the pizza/pasta place if he wouldn't eat an adult main? They must have something besides pizza and pasta on there, unless you are talking about Pizza Hut?

Original poster
karmakameleon · 12/12/2015 13:13

Nandos is a great idea! DH will hate it but I'll suggest it.

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 12/12/2015 13:14

Everyone loves nandos! (Apart from your Dh and mine!)

cleaty · 12/12/2015 13:14

I think OP must be talking about a Pizza Hut type place. Which I wouldn't want to eat at.

Greengardenpixie · 12/12/2015 13:14

Strange he eats noodles and not pasta.
Never the less, I agree most italian restaurants will have a choice of things that would cater and really good pasta and pizza that is quality. We have a di maggios where i stay. A kind of American dinner with Italian food and burgers and chips for kids etc. A kids menu with choice.

NoahVale · 12/12/2015 13:16

But He is only 3,
you say he would pick at things and not really enjoy.
I doubt his appetite is going to be enormous wherever you go

Greengardenpixie · 12/12/2015 13:16

My point is, surely it wouldnt be that difficult to find somewhere similar?

NoahVale · 12/12/2015 13:16

Nandos sounds perfect ,

Greengardenpixie · 12/12/2015 13:17

Like a TGI Fridays?