Monday, November 2, 2009

Traditions Happen

I’m coming to terms with the fact that I can’t control what Rowan remembers about his childhood. Still, establishing some lovely family traditions is important to me.

Maybe I’m hoping to counteract some of our less desirable family traditions. Last weekend, for example, Rowan explained the following — in his sincerest little voice — to one of our guests:

“That’s our laundry couch, but we cleared it off for the party. You can sit there now if you want to.”

Yep. Family traditions sneak up on you when you least expect them.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to start a tradition of having fancy dinners on Sundays. I like to cook anyway and had just found an interesting chicken recipe online. While the chicken and garlic braised, I whipped up some mashed Yukon Gold potatoes, sautéed greens and maple-glazed delicata squash. I even baked a homemade apple tart!



I was feeling quite proud of myself when everything came together just in time for dinner (no small feat).

Unfortunately, I forgot one thing: my kid doesn’t like food. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but he sure is picky! His favorite foods all have the same ingredients, rearranged slightly: macaroni and cheese, cheese pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, buttered noodles with — you guessed it — cheese (and NO spices).

My beautifully prepared meal did nothing to convert my little lacto-carbitarian. While Kyle and I ate and ate (and ate), Rowan picked at his plate and whined about how his chicken was too “skin-y” and his squash was too “smashy.”

Then he asked for a bowl of cereal.

You can imagine how frustrating it is to have your home-cooked meal snubbed in favor of Clifford Crunch.

Oh well. Until Rowan’s tastes broaden, I guess I’ll have to start a different family tradition. Or maybe I’ve already created one...? I can see it now:

“My mom only feeds me cereal on Sundays, but you can have something different if you want to."

Great. Just great.


(Don't be fooled. He only ate the whipped cream.)

3 comments:

Tribe of Adeline said...

Angie, you are amazing! I love the way you put things on paper.{or on the blog} Kids can be so critical with food. I've been there and it never ends. We used to have Sunday surprise! Who knows what that was. By the way, I still fold clothes while sitting on the couch. Memories will always be there and thats not all bad. Love, Margene

britta said...

I wasn't a picky eater growing up, but my brother was. My parents would give him a little bit of everything on his plate and told him something along the lines of "this is all you get, so eat up.." and what do you know, as he got older, he started enjoying everything. Now as an adult, he makes fancy meals with fancy spices! You never know, someday Rowan may surprise you!

The Jahnkes said...

at least you try- I usually end up giving my kids scrambled eggs or something while I make a great Thai or Indian dish. very frustrating - little to they know I hide spinach and carrot purees in their brownies- haha

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