Would like My Daughter to Eat Our Dinner Food

I like combinations of all the answers so far.

I am not completely militant, as I knew there were things I definately would not eat as a kid. I try and get my son to try everything, but I usually have a standby (leftovers, sandwhich.) He had really bad reflux caused by food intolerances as a baby. He threw up after eating a slow cooker stew I made with broccoli, and refuses all things with liquid- stews, soups, etc. I don't do stews/slow cooker much anymore, but when I do, and I know he likes it, I strain the contents before I serve it to him.

I also love the idea below of finding a way for them to help.

There are days when he refuses to eat things he normally eats. Then I get a little more militant ....

Also my son likes to dip. Applesauce sometimes fixes any meat :) If he takes a few bites, and then gets distracted, I pull out some applesauce for him to dip his meat in.. (no sugar added, just apples). We also have a barter system... if he wants one thing really bad, he has to take a bite of something else to get a bite of what he really wants.. like corn or mashed potatoes.

I think you have to try til you find what works, but I like parts of a lot of the answers already here.

As far as timing: if possible, have you thought about just making her whole schedule later? Getting up later, napping later, going to bed later?

My husband also comes home later and we usually eat dinner before he comes home because we get too hungry waiting for him! I usually start cooking around 5pm and my 2 yr old helps me wash the veggies and add seasonings. She's also my little taste tester. I make a lot of soups and stew type dishes that she likes. Those are easy to reheat for hubby later. And he can eat it with a side of whole grains or salad. If I'm really lazy or tired that day, he may get bread, crackers or biscuits as a side. Soups and stews are also good for freezing. I also make veggie meat loafs and patties, things that are easy to freeze so I can make a big batch and reheat easily so I don't spend too much time cooking every single day.
I also have a toy kitchen in my kitchen so she can cook while I cook and I let her use my utensils (the safe ones of course). Another thing I have in the kitchen is a painting easel. Oh, another thing I absolutely love is the Kitchen Helper. She likes being on the same level as I am. I can set her on the Kitchen Helper in front of the sink or counter and put anything in front of her and she'll be content doing that because it feels like we're doing something together.
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But yes, about once or twice a week, none of the above will matter and I will have to choose between plopping her in front of the TV or order carry out.
When hubby comes home, it's usually after her bath but I will sometimes have some fruit cut up so we're all still eating together at the table while he's eating dinner but it's not a big heavy meal right before she goes to bed. But if hubby comes home really late, I usually take my shower then while they eat. I figure it's still good for them to have that father-daughter time.
As for being picky, Dr. Neal Barnard (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) says it takes a child 17 times to accept new food but most parents don't try more than a couple of times and assume that the kid will not eat that food.
Hope this helps!

Start with something simple like spaghetti. The sauce can simmer for awhile....the longer the better. So when your daughter is ready to eat, make her a portion of noodles, make a small amount for you too. She'll eat better if you join her. Then when your hubby gets home, just cook some more noodles.

On nights that you grill out, she's not probably going to eat steak anyway, so make her a hotdog on the stove or in the microwave.

Another option is to make more of something one night, and then have it be your daughter's dinner for the next night.
Hubby grills steak/hotdogs on Wed. night, your daughter eats the leftover dogs on Thurs. This is actually a win-win, because then your daughter can eat what ya'll are eating, and hubby can have a hot meal each night too.

As for everyone eating together, why not let your daughter have a healthy snack or dessert while you and hubby eat your dinner?
M.

I have never cooked separately other than when my son was on baby foods. We always eat dinner early and then I'll have a snack when my husband comes home because he comes home too late. I cook once a week and freeze and that way I have dinners for the entire week. We eat spaghetti & meat balls, tuna casserols, sloppy Joe's, salmon burgers, Sheppard's pie etc. All stuff that kids can eat too. And like I said, I have a snack with my husband after the kids are in bed. You really want to not get in the habbit of cooking separately for her because that will cause you a lot of trouble later on. If I can't cook on the weekend I'll sit him in front of the TV (which I hate doing but I sometimes have to) and cook something quick.

The only thing I can think of to avoid fixing 2 meals is if u make extra each night and then have your daughter eat the leftovers from the night before (I doubt she will mind leftovers?) That way you could just heat it up for her when it is her time to eat. Then when hubby gets home u can all sit down for dinner and let her have a snack of your choice.

She's old enough to begin helping prepare the food. I've learned (and I was skeptical at first) that if they help make it they really are more likely to eat it.

At that age, I'd put my daugther in her seat and give her a piece of bell pepper or cucumber or whatever fresh veggies I was making along w/ a butter knife and a cutting board and let her help "cut" the vegetables. Her veggies never made it in the dish b/c she always ends up eating them. Win-win =)

It also allows you to begin teaching her all sorts of things. For example, my little one knows the difference btwn "her" knives and adult knives. The create a big mess at first but they get better and are engaged. It also shows them that they are a part of the family and families work together to accomplish a commonn goal.

Hi,
We are in that same situation too. My husband usually gets home around 7 and the baby our son is in bed by about 7:30. What I do now is that I usually try to have dinner cooked and ready by about 7. That way, as soon as my husband gets home, we can all sit down together. I think that is the most important part, sitting down together as a family and discussing your day. If there was always one thing that I knew would always be there as a kid it was that my parents, brother and I would always be around the dinner table for a meal. And it's also good for your child to eat the same things as you. So, my son usually gets 2 snacks in the afternoon to hold him off until dinner at 7. He snacks at 3 and 5. If your husband is running late, you can start your child before the two of you eat and then join in once your husband arrives home.

I'm not sure exactly what time you normally feed her but I'm kind of in the same situation here. My husband gets home at the time my daughter is about to go to bed. So in order to get her fed I have to feed her earlier than him so she's ready. He walks in the door at 7pm and she goes to bed somewhere between 7 and 7:30pm.
We had the same trouble what i do now is every other day i make a big meal something of content. Like spaghetti or a meal with all the sides and everything and a big meat. (aside of the weekends i make big meals all weekend) The odd days i will either make smaller meals or meals chosen by me or her. I only give her choice about once a week. It's normally hot dogs or mac and cheese....lol She is VERY Picky. She isn't normally happy with the meal but i tell her if she's eats all i put on her plate she can have a healthy snack of her choosing when she's done. I don't cater to her anymore. I made that choice when she was smaller and regret it completely. It's hard if not impossible to explain that you are not a short order cook and every meal is made for them personally so you pretty much need to stop cold turkey there is no other way. Good luck