When Seren started school, I put effort into her lunchboxes:
As my effort depreciated, so Seren rebelled, and favoured 'cinio' over 'brechdanau', and some weeks, when work was busy, or I was working away the rule of Seren having 'cinio' only on a Friday was relaxed, and it got to the point Seren was having 'cinio' five days a week on occasion.
At the moment, there's nothing wrong with that, but I have a rule in my own mind that Seren cannot have things which Tom & Seb cannot, and £6.15 per day for school dinners is definitely not something I want to spend my money on in 18 months time.
At home, I treat the children on the weekends to portioned meals, they love them.
And at Easter, when I was desperately trying to dissuade the little people from getting in Mr J's way as he put down our wooden flooring, I was reminded by how much they are enthused by a special meal.
As I began hassling Mr J that we could not afford for Seren to be having cinio regularly, I kicked myself for not doing the things which made Seren's brechdanau more appreciated.
And so, this week, I am back to making an effort.
And, in doing so, she has chosen to have four of five meals as brechdanau.
Even Mr J was surprised, thinking she'd negotiate for two.
Choosing each theme, and reviewing the lunchbox produced.
And getting oh so excited about her food again.
Fridays, like The Cure, there is tradition. Friday's she's in love- PE and cinio- there is no compromise- them's the rules.
I will celebrate my achievements.
Four out of five ain't bad, it's flippin' amazing!
Oh good on you! Amazing how a boring meal suddenly becomes so much more interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt really has made the world of difference to her enjoyment. So glad we've found our motivation!
DeleteWell done you. I really want to start doing this for my youngest. Where did you get the letter and animal sticks from please, if you don't mind me asking x
ReplyDeleteI managed to find the letters on Ebay, and the sticks on http://www.mummysmarvellousmunches.com/ (which unfortunately isn't trading at the moment)- but I've just bought the pots and some other sticks from Eats Amazing, and it worked out cheaper than ebay with what I was buying- and she stocks the letters (although I can't see them at the moment): http://eatsamazing.co.uk/shop
DeleteThank you so much Debbie x
DeleteThanks for mentioning me Debbie! I do usually sell the alphabet letters but I sold out recently - just waiting for a complete restock order currently on its way to me from the US! :-)
DeleteWowsers! I must look into getting some bits to jazz up our lunches!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It certainly makes a difference to my 5yo!
DeleteAll of these lunches look so cute! What are the little bears in the last photo - apples or chip?
ReplyDeleteI can feel summer coming and the "cute" lunches I make for my son are dwindling. He mentioned this week that he would really like more themed lunches instead of just food thrown in a box.
Thank you! They're pom-bears, a potato snack. Theming seems to be making the difference in getting her to eat it all.
DeleteI love the idea of Bento boxes, however I have seen just how my children bash and bang their lunch boxes so there is little chance of anything looking that pretty when they open it up at lunchtime. Although I think I might try this at home over the holidays and weekends, it might encourage them to eat more.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean! I think this will be regular whilst we get Seren eating everything- at the moment we drop her at the school line and they collect her lunch at the door so we're ok at the moment. It is so much fun for picnics as well (even the ones in the lounge on a blanket!).
DeleteWe've been embracing Bento style lunches and it's amazing how much more Emmy will eat. Well done, they are adorable
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, Seren's box is coming back empty now so we breathe a sigh of relief :-)
DeleteI am sorry but I don't know what Cinio or brechdanau are! But I think your lunch boxes look great.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, that's me just typing and not thinking. Cinio is cooked dinner and brechdanau sandwiches- the joy of living in Wales :-)
DeleteSome great ideas - like Jen I need enlightenment on those things too! Making food look appealing and appetising is so important. I have found over the years though that at some point they need to understand food is fuel and they need it, fun or not - otherwise they get incredibly fussy because they believe food should always be fun.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I know I forgot to explain, Cinio is cooked dinner and brechdanau sandwiches. I completely agree, Seren's not a fussy eater (she eats about five meals a day!) but she just prefers the cooked dinner option, so I'm just finding a way to 'wean' her!
DeleteI re-read the post a few times as I also don't know what cinio and brechdanau are. But the lunches look really cute!
ReplyDeleteAnother apology! Just the welsh translations which are used at school. Sorry x
DeleteThose lunches look lovely. I wish I was a bit more creative with my two's lunches, I just lack motivation!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Jen asked what cinio was I reread it wondering if I'd missed something lol. Those lunches looks fantastic x
ReplyDeleteYour lunches look really lovely, no wonder she's started eating them again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up at Fun Food Friday!