My father’s childhood in small town America was great fodder for the stories he told me growing up. One of these stories revolved around a large sandbox down the block from his home. While playing there one evening, he overheard a conversation from the neighboring Johnson house. (Note: Names have been changed.)
The family was having dinner, but all was not well. The stillness of my father’s sandbox foray was broken by the deep voice of Mr. Johnson bellowing—presumably at his young daughter Susie—“EAT … YOUR … SUPPER!”
Mr. Johnson’s firm insistence that his child focus on the food set before her is a rarity in contemporary America. Instead, many parents cater to their children’s wishes, even going so far as requesting a separate kid-friendly meal when visiting a friend’s house for dinner.
That was the experience related in a recent letter to Slate. As the letter writer explains:
“We spend a lot of time with other families, in situations where one family is responsible for preparing a meal for the group. Many of our friends’ kids are picky eaters, and this is reinforced by parents who prepare or expect special kid-friendly meals in addition to the main meal.”
He goes on to explain that catering to children’s needs always leads to problems:
