Cooking for Kids

309 Marbles
Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.
F. Scott Fitzgerald 

   My kids are a tough culinary crowd.  Ever since Ex-man has moved out, there has been nothing but complaints every time I experiment with a new meal.  My little hecklers often start in with, "I'm not eating this," and proceed to versions of, "This sucks."
   I’m getting pretty tired of putting energy into coming up with something different only to serve it up to an audience who doesn’t like variety.  I’m also missing Ex-man’s constant appreciation when food was prepared for him.  With him out of the house, it’s a bit of a thankless job.  Tonight, after a particularly challenging mealtime, I relented, "That's it.  There are about a dozen dishes that you'll eat without complaining.  From now on, that's what you're getting." Cheers from the hecklers.
   But first I had to let go of the notion that being a good mom means exposing my kids to a well rounded and expansive menu. The reality is that my kids are not intrepid gourmands so I made that list of the thirteen meals that my kids will eat and enjoy.  Since they are with Ex-man half of the time, this list gives me about a three week rotation.  The new system isn’t very creative, nor does it give a great deal of variety, but it makes our dining experience so much more enjoyable.  It’s consistent and stable and maybe that is just what they need right now: no experimental changes, just what they know and love. 
   The good news is, I know this tried and true method of meal planning won’t last forever.  At the restaurant where I work I do run into the odd child with adventurous taste buds, but more often than not, children from around the world often resort to monochromatic white food - pasta with butter, pasta with cream sauce, chicken fingers and fries.  As adults, most people grow out of opting for bland and into enjoying the wide variety of food options.  So I know even if my kids are having a limited menu post breakup, eventually they will have more well-rounded experimental palates. It may not be the best solution, but for now it's what I need to do to cope. 

Are there areas of your life causing you stress that you could easily simplify? Would you have to let go of certain judgments in order to do so?  Is it time to let go and KISS - Keep it Simple, Sista?