I don't like that yet...

That's what I'm trying to teach T & H to say instead of "I don't like that."  I'm working with the knowledge that tastes grow and change and that the more exposure they get to new tastes the more they will find that they like some of them.  In the short week since T & H arrived, we've learned they (at least one of them, but in most cases both) don't like:

Cheerios
Raisins
Grapes
Blueberries
Strawberries
Raspberries
Applesauce
Peaches
Plums
Carrots
Broccoli
Pineapple
Pepper
Corn
Peas
Jam
PBJ's
Baked Beans
Oatmeal (and they've never heard of Cream of Wheat)
Pizza with anything besides cheese or sausage
Smoothies

Seriously?  Did you see all those fruits?  The only fruit T will eat are RED apples (but not applesauce), and bananas.  And I haven't seen him make friends with a veggie yet.  And PBJ's??  What kid doesn't like PBJ's?

2 bites is our rule.  2 small bites of each thing, to expose your tastebuds to the flavor and give them a chance to grow to like it.  You would have thought we were pulling out T's toenails with pliers, asking him to take 2 bites of applesauce (which I specifically served because I knew apples were something he liked.)  In general, he is a helpful, compliant child.  But both children bring new depths to the words "picky eater."

A friend suggested I get a list from them of things they really like, so I can make some of their comfort foods to help in bonding.  Truly, I thought that was a great idea.  So I called them over and asked them what their favorite meals were.  "Pizza.  With Cheese or Sausage."  Anything else?  "I don't know."  OK... When you were in your last home, and you would walk into the kitchen and say "What's for dinner?", what answers would make you go "Yippee!" 

Chilimac (boxed mac & cheese, canned chili and sliced hotdogs)
Spaghetti-O's with meatballs
Lasagna
Campbells Chicken Noodle Soup
Homemade Mac & Cheese

OK.  Not a very extensive list, but I can work with that.  I picked up some of all of that to have on hand.  This week... Chilimac.  (shudder!)  :)

Comments

[Carrie]

I was shocked at the list of fruit...seriously, who doesn't like fresh fruit. How sad is that. It just goes to show what the beginning years eating can do for a child when they are older. I know of a child who doesn't eat PBJs...Eli. He doesn't eat PB, he won't go anywhere near it, not even in cookies...nuts either. I gave it to him once as a toddler and his hand broke out in a rash (contact rash) and his nurse told us not to give him it again for a while...well, we never did and now he won't eat it. Again, goes back to things tasted as a child in my opinion. Our other two eat anything because they have been fed everything. Hopefully soon, your two new additions will start branching out their little taste buds.

[Dawn]

My older dd came to us at 20 months and had been fed nothing but cookies, green beans and mountain dew for the first 20 months of her life. SERIOUSLY!!! You should see her teeth! Anyhoo, since the mountain dew and cookies were out she ate nothing but green beans for almost 3 weeks. Finally she fell in love with peanut butter. Now, she is my best eater. You are doing a great job.
Blessings,
Dawn

[Debbie]

Hilary, when our Littles (Filipino children)first came home, they didn't like a lot of things. We were very sneaky while we helped the get used to new things. I would puree just about any type of veggie and put it in things like soup or spaghetti sause. You can not taste the difference and at least we felt they were getting some veggies. Also, we used a lot of applesause in baking. Have hope, our PI children, home 3 years, now eat most things or at least tolerate them.

[kris]

"This week... Chilimac. (shudder!) :)" - Good for you! Hopefully by you be willing to make some of their favorites it will also help them give some of your "favorites" a chance. Good luck! It certainly is a limited list.