Bringing the Yummy Back!

Kochu started at his new school in August and the first few days it was, well interesting for all of us. For Kochu he was meeting new kids, learning new songs and getting adjusted to early mornings while for us it was getting used to the new schedule. But one thing was easy - planning his lunch.

We bought a Buzz light-year lunchbox and send rice - red rice (beetroot) or green (spinach) or some macaroni and cheese. He came back home well fed and happy. Of course, good things do not last and slowly but surely food came back untouched. Every morning I would ask him want he wanted - sandwich, macoroni, rice ... and I would send him that, reminding him multiple times about finishing his lunch. But most days he would have eaten only a few bites. I would be upset and ask him about it, but no viable answer.

Then I decided a different tactic - If you eat lunch, you get a treat. That worked for two days and then it went back to "Amma I ate the whole thing" and when I would check he would have eaten only a few bites, but of course he would still expect a treat. When I would not given in to the bargain, there would a temper tantrum.

I was told sending a different food might work, something special so to speak. The drawback I soon found was that he wanted the same thing every day, which was ok with me except that, by the 3rd and 4th day the portion of food sent versus eaten got bigger and bigger.

As my options dwindled I am left with just a slimmer of hope for the best and preparing for the worst. I have ended with carrying a cheese stick or yogurt or some cheerios and chips for Kochu with me to be eaten on our way back home!

Anyone have any super cool ideas to ensure a well fed toddler let me know ...