Comments on: The Joys of Meal Planning with Kids

By: Lee @ foodie plus 4

Lee @ foodie plus 4 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:40:56 +0000

This is a great idea. My kids love helping in the kitchen (but not grocery shopping), so we decided to do a food blog about cooking with kids. They are more willing to try something new if they were part of the choosing and cooking process. Growing a garden together is another great way to get them involved.

By: jonewman

jonewman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:59:17 +0000

That is just brilliant! I am going to copy that idea with my four year old…she can only be bribed with the single serving string cheese in the cheese section for so long. Happy SITS Day!

By: Charlene

Charlene — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:24:09 +0000

Greetings from SITS! This is SUCH a great idea! I recently started getting better about meal planning but hadn’t thought of including the kids. I’m going to try it! Thanks!

By: jane

jane — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:22:17 +0000

glad you like the article – and I always love seeing your menus! good luck with the co-planning :)

By: Whining 'N Dining

Whining 'N Dining — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:18:20 +0000

Jane – This is genius! Thanks for a great article. I’m going to get my girl involved in our meal planning. She does the same thing in terms of leaving half of her plate empty. Speaking of – I’ve been trying to get my act together to do better meal planning and share them on your site each week.

By: jane

jane — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:41:22 +0000

no, not at all! it’s hard to balance it all…and sometimes kids just won’t eat, no matter what! :) I totally get the trying to balance everything in life thing…for me, honestly, planning ahead is the only reason we ever get dinner on the table, so it works for me…and if I can get cate involved, then that’s a bonus. the hardest part for me isn’t just the planning…but actually getting to the store. it’s tricky…but don’t lose heart! and don’t feel bad when it doesn’t all work out perfectly! :)

By: Xenia

Xenia — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:02:30 +0000

I guess I need to try harder. My girls (5 & 2 y.o.) help occassionally in the cooking/planning/shopping dept, but it seems to have no impact on what they actually eat. Even if I say “Yum, it’s from Trader Joes!” Planning any meals in advance is hard when you work full-time, pick up 2 kids @ 2 schools, and husband works on weekends so you have no one to share the meal-planning/shopping time with. Am I the only one with this problem?

By: Gina

Gina — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:23:45 +0000

GREAT idea!!! I just need to wait until my 21 month old is older and can actually communicate what she wants to eat!!!!

By: Bethany

Bethany — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:05:58 +0000

I second everything you said. Every time my daughter has helped plan/cook meals, she is excited to eat. Also, gardening helped her to be a veggie lover. I know she eats as well as she does because she helped with the veggie garden from the time she could walk. Great post, thank you for reminding me it is worth the extra effort to get her involved.

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:36:17 +0000

This is such a great idea! I’ll have to try it with my kids for sure.