Does your household Feel like a Restaurant?
By brokentia
@brokentia (10389)
United States
April 23, 2007 9:15am CST
Welcome to Burger King. Can I take your order please?
Have you ever felt like saying that to your kids?
I have thought of creating this discussion many times but just have not gotten around to it. And I don't know how many times I have been in the kitchen getting the children their plates with dinner that I just so felt like I was serving in a restaurant.
The other day, we were having burgers for dinner. And like normal, I start to ask them what they want on their burgers. Now, mind you, if you do not know me, I have seven children.
So, I have some that just want cheese and ketchup, some that want pickles, and some that want mayo. Some change it up on me and decide that they want it a different this way. Or another will change their mind mid order and ask if I can put something else on it or not put something on it. Which...mind you, if you have already put on the mustard that they now have changed their mind about, you have to figure out who wants the same thing WITH the mustard and trade burgers with that child...Or the one that decided that he or she does not want mustard is going to be very upset an just sit there and stare at it all night! LOL
Then there is breakfast.
Pancakes are easy but then you have to start asking who wants what type of eggs.
It gets so bad that I sometimes have to write it down!
Child #7 doesn't like eggs, so that is easy.
Child #5 only likes scrambled eggs with cheese but also likes a cheese omelette at times. Child #6 can't seem to figure out how she likes her eggs...it is a go between who she wants to follow that day. Child #4 likes his popped and just completely done. Child #1 likes his popped but would rather have only eggs whites. Child #2 likes cheese omelettes, scrambled eggs with cheese and over medium. It just depends on the day. And if there is any egg white left uncooked, forget it, it will make her yak. But Child #3 likes his over easy...yet prefers an omelette.
Did you get all that? LOL No? That is why I have to write it down.
Eggs made to order! Did you want bacon or sausage with that?
OH! And you don't even want to know how many cereal containers I have open on my kitchen counter! My mother even tried to help out by getting me some of those restaurant style dispensers! LOL
So, does your house feel like a restaurant?
12 people like this
28 responses
@tater03 (1765)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Yes, it sure does. What drives me nuts is when you make dinner they pick at it and then an hour later they are screaming they are hungry again. Or you make something that they have always liked and all of a sudden when you sit the plate in fromt of them they tell you they don't like that anymore. I feel for you. I completely understand where you are coming from and I only have two sons.
3 people like this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
23 Apr 07
hahaha I know what you are talking about! One month they like mashed potatoes and the next month they look at you like your crazy when you hand them a plate that has mashed potatoes on it. ha ha
I once went on strike and didn't make dinner anymore because I was sick of making dinner and no one eating it. Or complaining about it.
But that didn't last long. ha ha
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Oh I know how that is with the one momment liking it and then next they hate it. Never seems to fail, once we buy a bunch of it they no longer want it. It then sits in the fridge or freeze for ever. Then once you finally give up and throw it out they want it again. Enough to drive you crazy.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
24 Apr 07
There are only a total of four of us in the house but boy does this sound like us, only one is a child. We just have all different tastes. Now for breakfast and lunch, it's fend for yourself. For dinner the adults will usually not make a fuss but the child on the other hand is a picky eater. We make sure what she gets is healthy but it's more like a lunch meal then a dinner. If she's not going to eat what we eat then she gets a sandwich of some sort, cereal, or soup something like that. We make sure it's fairly healthy and make do.
I think one of the reasons we do this is because my mother made food such a big deal when I was growing up. My mother is not the greatest of cooks nor the most imaginative so dinners weren't that great. We had no choice of anything else to eat. It was that or you went hungry. We heard the "Well think of the starving children in.."(Pick a country to put in there) She also didn't care if you liked what she cooked or not. So she would serve the same things over and over. Growing up with that I think made the difference. We are more willing to make her something else so long as it's not big or major.
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I grew up hearing about the "Kids starving overseas" too. LOL
And my question was always, "Why can't we sent it to them?"
My mom was never happy with me when I asked that. ha ha
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Heheh yeah my mom wasn't either. I have never said that to my neice because to me it just doesn't make sense. I doubt they would have liked it any better then me if we had sent it over anyways.
@MySpot (2600)
• United States
26 Apr 07
Well, mine is more like a little diner because there are only two children and two adults in my family and usually one of my nephews (who'll eat anything).
I know what you mean though... these kids can't make up their mind! One time they love something and the next time they hate it... what's a Mom to do?
How old are your kids? Are any of them old enough to fix their own plates or sandwiches? I get all of the condiments out and we all do our own. My youngest is six but he always wants his sandwiches plain and everything else for that matter.... he isn't big on salt, pepper, condiments or anything.
When I do my grocery list, I go around to everyone and ask what meal they want that week so that everyone gets something they really like. We usually eat or order out one day a week so it lessens the pressure on me to come up with meal ideas to please everyone. I also have peanut butter, jelly, lunchmeat, bread, soup, and tv dinners just in case we get a picky eater on a given day... then they have an alternative meal.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
26 Apr 07
Well, the good news is I have 3 teenagers out of the seven.
So when it comes to burgers, I do not put on their condiments. :)
And there are times that my teen daughter will even help get the younger children their plates. :)
And yes, their minds are always changing. LOL So, I try to use that to my advantage because I tell them that their tastes change...so when it comes to something that they don't like, I use that against them and remind them that their tastes change. hehe
@peaceful (3294)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Since I am childless, I don't have quite the "fuss and 'fusion" when it comes to cooking for others...
And as I am known for "The Drawing and Quatering Of" or the "Cleaving In Twain" of, misguided Critics of my Chef-ly preparations, Enjoyment is seen as a Necessity by those who wish to continue Living, with all their Given Body Parts intact, as it were...! LOL! :)
Great Stuff, Girl! All Props to you! :)
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Coming from your Peaceful, that is truly a compliment. :)
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
24 Apr 07
LMFAO!
That is hilarious although I know it's not exactly meant to be :) I do feel for you though. That is quite a load and quite a lot of orders.
I feel that way sometime with just my hubby here! But not quite like that - and not anymore LOL.
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I actually did word it to be humorous. :)
I am glad that you enjoyed it.
2 people like this
@Allieloopy (84)
• United States
24 Apr 07
This is a subject close to my heart. I became a foster parent about 8 years ago. At first I wanted to be the perfect mother and my kitchen did become a restaurant.
I was spending way too much time trying to make everyone happy.
Then I got wise. I decided to pay more attention to making well rounded meals. So what if my daughter doesn't like potatos, she can have extra salad. My foster son can eat a couple bites of salad and finish up all of his green beans. I like to give them a couple of bites of whatever is offensive on their plate so they can keep trying it though. It took 3 years for my daughter to like fried chicken, now she wants it all the time.
I really don't force things like weird veggies, and yes, ketchup is the great cure all!
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I agree! I get my children to at least try a few bites of things that they don't like. After that, once they eat everything else, they have have more of what they did like. :)
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Yes it does, and it is only my husband and me. He is so picky. He wants me to make exactly what he likes, how to prepare it, and so forth. It feels like a private restaurant.
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Heck no! My family has been taught from day 1 that you eat what I make or you go to the cupboard and make a PBJ sandwich or whatever trips your trigger. Let me tell you, when they realize THEY have to fend for themselves if they don't eat what I make (I'm realistic and make things we all pretty much like, nothing anyone detests) their attitudes change real quick! LOL I refuse to stand out in a kitchen and cook separate meals for a couple of picky eaters. Then again, I've never really had to either. My kids just knew this was what we were having. My son tried it once or twice as a youngster but realized I wasn't playing when I told him, fine go make a sandwich. LOL
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I don't make different meals either.
I was not meaning that I will make one meal for one child and a completely different meal for another.
Sure, my kids may like their eggs differently, but there is no way I can make eggs for all seven kids at the same time. This is why I do cook them to order.
The youngest child has a problem with not gaining weight. So, if he does not like dinner, every now and then he will have a sandwich also. :)
But that was because he was in size 18 months at 4 years old!!!
Since his surgery, he ha hit a growth spurt and we have to make sure he will eat or he will have problems with his leg.
@imadriscoll (2228)
• United States
23 Apr 07
I will never do this!! I say that tongue in cheek, actually hoping that I will never fall to the pressure of doing this! We have rules at our house, if mama makes it everyone eats it ... unless for some reason mama takes a bite and decides that no one should have to eat it!
My mom had a rule that if she made it, you ate it. If you didn't like it, too bad! I have lots of friends that have married men who don't like veggies or something else that their mom never made them eat and now the wife has to make certain meals to certain specifications ... not me, no way, no how. If you don't like it you'll either learn to like it or you'll go hungry! LOL.
I guess that you have more patience then I do!
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
23 Apr 07
We have a saying in our house when I have had enough and my patience is running thin...."You get what you get, and you don't throw a fit."
Funny thing is though, instead of not throwing a fit, they will throw a very mean glare at the child that reminds him or her of our saying when they just have to get over it. ha ha
I guess I try to be sure that everyone is happy because I don't want to hear 30 minutes later that someone is hungry and growing up...I have known that hungry feeling from not having anything. So, I guess that also plays part.
Or maybe I am just a push over mom.
I don't know, I try to not stop and analyze myself too much. Or I would probably just convince myself that I am crazy....or that I am not...which would be a sure sign that I am. ha ha
See. No thinking. Thinking bad. ha ha
@jennybeans (912)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I only have one child and my husband, but it feels like I'm a line cook whenever we have anything to eat. Everything comes with no onions, unless it's mine and I snuck it in there. If we have burgers, everyone wants their's differently, medium rare, well done, with cheese, without cheese, no ketchup only mayo with extra pickles, ketchup, mayo and pickles, ketchup mustard and pickles. When I have my niece over, which is quite a bit, she just eats what you put in front of her, unless it's breaded chicken, in which case she needs barbecue dipping sauce so she can dip the chicken and eat the sauce, but leave the soggy chicken on her plate when the sauce is gone.
Wow, i couldn't imagine have a household that big, even though I grew up in one.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
24 Apr 07
Your house already sounds like a lose running to mine! ha ha
I actually find it humorous at times.
Of course, it is better to laugh than it is to get stress over the little things.
Don't you agree?
As the saying goes, Don't sweat the small stuff.
Hey, at least everyone is getting fed right? And as long as everyone is happy, your happy. :)
Thanks for sharing! I loved your response!
@mememama (3076)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Not yet lol, my son is only 1 1/2 so he doesn't know that he has choices! I remember vividly my mother saying that she's not a short order cook. It's usually my husband that tries to do this and that, I tell him to serve him dang self. I think if we have more kids and more mouths to feed it might be more like a restaurant. Good luck and get back in the kitchen woman lol.
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
23 Apr 07
ha ha Your funny! :)
Your right, I forgot to take something out for dinner. LOL
So, I guess I better go back to the kitchen and figure out what it for dinner tonight. LOL
@charlestchan (1415)
• Malaysia
23 Apr 07
hi brokentia.. you know.. your story remind me of myself when i was young.. where i actually used to play such conversation with my family members.. or.. to be more specific.. my mother.. because she's the one always serve us for dinner.. so.. i would ask her if she could make this and that for my dinner.. haha.. if needed.. i might ask her to get me the soya or chilli sauce to add more flavor into my food.. owh.. those days were great.. but i think it's over now.. i'm already 19 this year.. and i think that's more like a kid game ... hha. have to admit that i'm getting older each day =)
1 person likes this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
24 Apr 07
You must be missing those good old days, charlestchan. Maybe, you can pay your mom some visits and then, you can ask her sweetly to prepare for you those favorites say, once a week. How about having a pact with mom to be around weekends for the treat?
@Augustta (1850)
• Poland
23 Apr 07
lolololol!!!
stop!!!take a little pause!!let me to breath deep...i saw your pictures do you mean you HAVE 7 KIDS???All yours????!!no way!seriously??
you are a beautiful woman with an apetisant body,which make a lot girls of 20 years to scream!lol!!!
well,i have just a kid,and she already make food for me.
today when i come back from work...she make some soup and prepare something traditional(i don't know in english)...
nice,huh??(don't ask me how much i spend to clean all after this...grin)
augusta
1 person likes this
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
23 Apr 07
You are a very beautiful woman yourself Augustta. Thank you for the lovely compliments. And yes, they are all mine. :)
Wow! That is awesome your daughter makes you food. :) Every now and then my teens try to surprise me...so I know what you mean about the clean up. LOL
1 person likes this
@Wyayenjee (160)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Omigosh...not my family's kitchen. But how do you do it? I can't even cook for my gluttonous little brother!
Hopefully when each kid gets old enough to safely use a stove, they should take turns with you and help with cooking...unless some are really bad at it or the kitchen is too crowded!
I hope they give you generous tips until then!!! XD
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
23 Apr 07
Tips would be nice...but I don't see that happening. LOL
Good news is, I have a few teenagers that are close to that age that they will be moving out. And therefore, they have to help cook. This way, I ensure that they know how to cook the basics when they do move out. :)
So, I have help for now. :)
@shuz697 (1043)
• United States
24 Apr 07
hahahaha yes my house is exactly the same.. everyone likes something different in my house .. I feel like I spend so much time in the kitchen making different meals for everyone .. I wish they would just all eat the same thing better yet I wish they would just do it themselves now that would be fantastic..
@courtlynne77 (4839)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I feel like this too sometimes and I only have three children! Sometimes I will joke with them and tell them "Hello, my name is Mommy and I will be serving you tonight, what can I get for you?". My biggest annoyance at dinner time is I never get to sit for more than 2 minutes before someon needs something that requires me to get up. More milk, new fork, butter, salt, more of whatever I did not bring to the table.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
24 Apr 07
I feel for you Tia. I only had 4 kids to serve meals to. But, when I had my nieces and nephew for the summertime, mealtime was interesting. Instead of trying to be a short order cook I would place the burgers on a serving platter, have the condiments handy and let them go at it. No changing minds. This was also a great idea for soup and sandwich night too.
Breakfast was another story. I chose 2 different kinds of cereal and they had to choose between the two. Sometimes I would make donuts and that was simple enough. Plain or cinnamon sugar. Pancakes were served with the option of cinnamon sugar or syrup.
The most difficult one was eggs. I would have a couple of skillets handy to make them. That way I could make many at one time. When I didn't feel like making a multi-order, I would make scrambled eggs. That was an overall favorite.
@lov_hacker (121)
• United States
24 Apr 07
hmm .....exactly ....you are right !! ...well what happens in my home that kids needed any thing to eat ...now it can be a burger , chips ,cold drink ,ice cream ...it looks more that a hotel then home !! where ever you see anyone look at one side you will see a person eating ....look on the other side i will see my brother yelling and screaming saying i want some thign to eat !! i mean ....not food or dinner or supper ...but i cant understand the meaning of something to eat ?? they want junk food !! and that makes me sick !! :P
@gemini1960 (1161)
• Philippines
24 Apr 07
It does not feel or seems like a restaurant it is does a small restaurant which caters your family members orders and likes of food. My wife will always tell me on what i like to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All our meals to be cooked were been planned ahead by wife so that she can consult me and the children of the food she will prepare during the week
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
24 Apr 07
You are such a good mama. We just eat what we are given here. Nothing as fanciful as your situation. :P
