"You can't get up until you eat your veggies!"

Veggies are really an issue for children. My parents didn't have the hard time to pushed in eating veggies. My siblings and I loved to munch veggies. If I will be a parent, I will not force the children. Instead, I will try other options. Let say, we can bring a colorful plates with veggies and some side dishes.

I never threatened my kids to eat vegetables. But I did explain to them that they do need to eat them for their health. I also ask my kids, "do you want to become sugar free like me?" They would always say no. They eat their vegetables. What I don't want to happen to them is what happened to me. I became diabetic because I ate lots of pasta, pizza, cakes and ice cream. And lets not forget the amounts of soda I used to drink. Now in addition to that diabetes ran in my family. So I was already predisposed to it. But I do not want to see my kids have to reach a point in their lives that they have to stop eating the things they do enjoy. So I tell them to eat in moderation. Do not over do it. I think it is a good idea for my kids to eat healthy. I am not saying they should never have junk food or deserts. I am just saying I want them to grow up healthy. As it is now both my kids do not drink soda. They actually do not like it.

My parents never did it we...except maybe once or twice. I tried saying that to my younger son since he NEVER has his vegetables. I am pretty understanding with a lot of things and don't force the kids when they are not in the mood..once in a while. But this little fellow NEVER has his vegetables. I tried using the phrase with him and it didn't work:-( So, I've given up.

Hello Sarahruthbeth I had three children the eldest and the smallest eat veggies since they were babies. But the middle one doesn´t eat vegs since he was baby. It`s not easy to make him have veggies. It´s so difficult. He has already stopped at doctor office because he had anemia. He eats them fine with chicken and chopped, carrots and potates, and some pumpking. But just if the are all boiled and smashed together. Otherwise he doesn´t eat them. This is my eternal fight with him, since baby. He is already 12 and that`s my daily fight. I still force him to eat veggies, because I don´t want to be blamed when he get older. To blame I didn´t teach him to eat veggies on time. So I prefer he gets tired of me, that he blames me on. Blessings sarahruthbeth...dainy

I was never forced but I wasn't a real picky eater when I was little. I had things that I did not like or want but I was never forced to eat them. When my children were little, I wanted them to eat veggies but I never threatened them. I always just tried to talk them in to a bite..lol.

I don't have any kids, but when I do, I think I will do as my parents did to me. When I was little, I couldn't either leave the table until I ate my vegetables, or I would get no desert and juice, I'd have to drink water. I was a very picky eater when I was little, I am still one as of today but I always make it a point to at least try something once. Even if it does look yucky

My son, so far, is not a picky eater. He has a few foods that he doesn't like, but since they are clearly specific dislikes and not an entire category of food, we don't make him eat them. If we put some on his plate, he will just avoid it, but we still put some on his plate so that he can learn to be polite about foods he doesn't like. (Then I just eat the food after so that we don't waste food). I wasn't a picky eater. I had a couple of foods I didn't like but I ate them anyway because my parents told me to. When I got older my parents let me choose what I put on my plate and I just avoided foods I didn't like. My dad eventually decided I should eat more of certain vegetables so he said that I had to eat the same amount as he did. He didn't like vegetables either so it was pretty funny for the rest of the family. (I was a teenager - I started eating more of the vegetable just so that he had to eat more).

Hi Sarah... My parents did do it for two reasons... Health & Religion! When I was too young they forced me to eat veggies.... I learned it with time... Then came the religious restrictions.. They still don't eat non veg food on certain days... I always disliked that rule, as I love meat, chicken and all type of non veg food... Here parents still do it, unfortunately.... :-(

no and i never said it to my kids because my kids love vegetables! however, i guess i was spoiled as i never had to eat all mine when i was a kid.

I probably did but that was so long ago that I don't really remember. I asked my kids to try one bite. My kids ate things I wouldn't eat....not just veggies but things like cottage cheese....I can't stand it. But they all loved veggies and so do I....

I too was a picky eater growing up. My parents would force me to eat vegetables all the time. And when I left home to study in a different city, I swore off vegetables. But as I grew older, I've realized that there are a few vegetables that I really like. So, I'm taking a different approach with my kids. I don't force them to eat veggies. But I let them discover food as they want. I'm thinking that as long as they're healthy, they don't have to eat it. I'm sure they'd find their way to eating veggies eventually. eventually hasn't happened yet

I wouldn't do it. Threatening your kids has huge impact. Either for short run when they go mad or long run when they grow up. It could even pop out in their teenage years and cause them to 'rebel' and such. I would try rewarding them for eating veggies instead.

I still consider myself to be a picky eater when it comes to certain foods. When I was younger my mom would give me really small portions of the vegetable and she would only want me to eat a few bites. I think I only had to stay at the table one or 2 times because I wouldn't eat the veggies at all. My mom just wanted me to have a bite of them and that was good enough, she didn't want to force me to eat all of them. If I was a parent I'd probably do the same thing. I wouldn't force my kid to eat all the veggies, but I would put some on their plate and ask that they have a few bites of them.

I haven't experienced that way... my grandmother just advised me to eat veggies for when I grew up, I wouldn't experience sickness :)