Lynni

I guess I should have clarified. I didn't ask DH what he wanted. My mistake was telling him when he asked me what we were having for dinner. I stopped asking him years ago, but he will ask what we are having from time to time. He is so freaking picky it drives me crazy. It isn't so much that he doesn't like something, he "thinks" he doesn't like something.
He has gone so far as to call my sister, to have her call me and find out what I was making for dinner (she eats with us a few times a week, so not unusal). She called him back, he decided he didn't like it, a new dish - so he hadn't even tried it, and then stopped and scarfed down a burger on the way home. Then wasn't "that hungry" when we ate. I figured out what he did.

I can live with him not eating what I make. My feelings aren't hurt and I'm over that, it is the fact that he complains yet never offers a suggestion. I am more annoyed that Bubbs is starting to notice. Come on, would you rather have Kim's soup or pizza? There is a clear winner in the eyes of a 5 yr old. He'll eat the soup without an argument. It is when DH pulls out a frozen pizza that Bubbs abandons the soup. THIS is what burns me. I've told him that if he is going to do this he needs to eat in the garage away from Bubbs. Even Dh has said that he doesn't want to pass his habits on to Bubbs.

Sorry this was such a long vent. After going to Red Robin last night and I'm just annoyed. I am so good during the week, then I cash in all of my flex pts on Friday and Saturday. I'm ok with it, but I'd rather cash them in on something other then a so-so burger, KWIM?

On the way back from dinner last night, we had a discussion about dinners. We were stuck in the car and he couldn't run. DH is helping with the meal planning for the next two weeks. We are doing only 2 red meats. This is just before vacation and you all know we are going to eat very well on a cruise. Even Dh's friend was on my side. I am just hoping this works.

symesa

When I meal plan each week, I ask DH if he has ideas/suggestions/requests. Mostly, I do it because I get tired of trying to figure it all out by myself each week...but also it gives him a chance to tell me "hey, we haven't had beef stew in a while and I'd really like that". I EXPECT him to contribute with one or two ideas. I don't just take "whatever you want" for an answer because I really do want the help with ideas!

My DH is not picky, at all. But, like Jodi said -- I'm not a short order cook AND we have to set an example for our kid. That means, everyone at the table eats what is for dinner. He is grown up, he should be grown up enough to curtail eye-rolling, whining, and grumbling about food. Suck it up and be an example. If he wants, he can eat a smaller portion of dinner and wait for RS to go to bed to get something else to eat...but all that other stuff just underminds what you want RS to learn. And, it takes some of the "family" time out of the family time of eating together...IMO....

_Sue_

I'm pretty easygoing but this would really make me angry. Lucky for me (lucky for him?) DH will eat anything put in front of him, but Carrie if I were in your shoes I'd lay down some ground rules.
1) Meal planning happens on X day, contribute or don't complain
2) Unusual schedules excepted, whoever didn't make the meal cleans up, DS is expected to help in some capacity (setting and clearing table, making salad or entertaining the chef , loading the dishwasher )
3) the parent that didn't make the meal makes a point of thanking the chef and finding a way to compliment the meal
4) everyone eats together and eats the same thing**

**That said - I refuse to fight with my toddler over food, yet I also don't want to become the dreaded short order cook. Jennifer once posted that if Molly doesn't want what's for dinner she can choose between certain cereals. I think that's a pretty good compromise FOR KIDS.... DHs should eat the meal that has been lovingly prepared, cuz they are grownups.

bugginsmom

That's our house too. If you don't like it, there's always oatmeal!

bugginsmom

That too!

bugginsmom

I agree about the whole kid meal thing. Alden has to try it, and if he doesn't like it, he can have oatmeal or yogurt. That doesn't happen often, but when it does I make sure that his bedtime snack is more substantial than usual and a protein plus carb.

Carol in Maryland

Reminds me of college. We had served dinners, so there was little choice - you could get no veggie/double starch, or the reverse, or do without the mystery meat, but if you didn't want some form of the meal, your only choice was a bowl of cereal or two hardboiled eggs

bugginsmom

But hey, my orginal family meal is usually awesome so he eats it the vast majority of the time. I can count on one hand the times he has actually had oatmeal or yogurt for dinner!!!! I am so NOT the college lunch lady!!!!!

hotgogobot

This is a constant issue at our house. DH will swear up and down that he isn't picky, but he really truly is. He does eat a variety of foods, but at the core they are all meat with sauce. No veggies. And he also cannot identify food he will eat.

How do I deal... Hm... I guess I try my best for a few months and then explode in a fit of rage! Really, I don't know what to do. Tonight C and I ate dinner together and DH was on his own. The problem with leaving him on his own is that he will easily spend hundred on take out in a month because he doesn't cook.

We do have rules that I am very strict with. He has to eat a little of everything I make and pretend to like it for the kids.

BigNutbrownHare

OMG, this bugs me to no end. Granted, it is far from my biggest complaint with DH, but still.

It usually happens that I will plan on something for dinner. Something basic, like chicken or pasta but then the sauce will be slightly different or it will be cooked in a slightly different way. When DH asks what we are having, I tell him. He then decides based on the sound of it that it isn't what he wants. So he starts eating junk while it is cooking and then Ash wants to eat junk because he is hungry. I try to have things available that are healthy to snack on in this instance, like carrots, cucumber slices, etc... but DH won't touch those things. So Ash won't touch those things. Or, he will bug me about what I am cooking until we end up eating out or ordering in. And don't even think that I can keep the junk out of the house - if I don't have anything, DH has been known to make himself a big bowl of shredded cheese and pizza sauce. He finds ways to *make* junk.

Worse, I have to listen to DH about his weight. God forbid I mention that he should eat the nice dinners I make instead of eating junk.