BooksCassidy's Profile

@alliej We also have the "12 bite rule". My daughter has one bite of asparagus (or mushrooms, or scrambled eggs...) for 10 or 12 meals, then we acknowledge that she doesn't like it for now, and she doesn't have to try it anymore. After a few months, we start again with trying it. Now that my kids are 17 and 13, they sometimes prompt me to give them a hated food, in case they now like it. They see they're changing taste buds as a sign that they are growing up (and they're right!).

@ines You sound like an awesome parent. If sandwiches don't work, try leftovers from dinner (like spaghetti!). If the thermos tastes funny, keep trying with different containers. If you are discouraged, make a shopping list with your child just for lunch items, and explain how to plan for healthy foods as well as treats. They like seeing things in their lunch that "they" picked out.

Finally, I ask my kids to pack all their trash back into the lunchbox, so I can see what was eaten and what got panned. My mother slept in and never made my lunches, so I enjoy making lunch for my kids, with their input and help.

Here is a link to a NYT article on the hammock---the seat belts look brand new because they ARE. They are "end of line", extra from when a vehicle stops production or changes its specs for a seat belts. That's why the colors are...unusual (green is from ambulances). Cheers!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/business/yourmoney/15goods.html?_r=3&oref=slogin

I still believe in Santa Claus!