As I’ve mentioned before, I do most of the cooking in my household. Every evening, I rush home to prepare a hot, nutritious meal for my family. The other night, I prepared some broiled chicken with a lemon glaze. I was quite proud of my dish because it was quick and easy to make. The aromas from the oven let me know that I had made a winner.
When my 8-year old daughter, Nee, bit into her piece of chicken, she screamed, “THIS CHICKEN TASTES TERRIBLE!”
I was flabbergasted.
“What’s wrong with the chicken,” I asked. I grabbed her chicken and took a bite. I discovered that her piece of chicken had some lemon zest on it and had a acquired a bitter taste. I removed the zest and told her to try it again. Reluctantly, she took a bite and deemed that it was suitable for human consumption.
I’m glad that I have thick skin or else my children’s blunt honesty would crush my spirit. However, I know that others are more sensitive than I am so I planned to teach Nee about sparing other people’s feeling.
At bedtime, I sat on her bed and asked, “How would you feel if you drew me a picture and said ‘Here Daddy. I drew this picture for you’ and I said ‘This picture is terrible’ when I looked at it?”
“I would feel really bad if you did that,” she responded.
“Well I felt really bad when you yelled, ‘This chicken tastes terrible,’” I said. “Do you want to make Daddy feel bad?”
“No,” she said demurely. “But daddy…”
“Yes, darling.”
“The chicken REALLY did taste terrible.”
Stay Strong,
P.S. – My 5-year old son was watching TV with my wife when an anti-wrinkle cream commercial came on. He turned to her and said, “Mommy, you need some of that.” I’m going to miss my son.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
When she cries after you tell her the picture looks really bad, just say – “but honey, it really DOES look bad.” Ha! Seriously – we gotta set the example on how to be. Thick skin, soft heart. I remind myself the same thing every day. (BTW — I have a bad chicken story myself, only in my case, I had to agree with them)
Oh my, thanks for such a good laugh. That was cute too.
You really should know better, kids don’t care; they say what they want without thinking.
I also do most of the cooking at home but sometimes my kids will say that their dad makes certain things better than me. But I tell them, then tell Dad to make it for you!! LOL.
oh my, is your son ok LOL. At least your daughter had a valid reason for her complaint and it was easily remedied. I’ve suffered my share of dinner complaints but just attribute them to differences in taste.
Well, Dad, at least it wasn’t really terrible. And tact is learned–keep working at it! Now, N on the other hand…..I’ll miss your stories about him!
Tom–hilarious!
Well dad it was terrible! LOL
My oldest has autism, which means he has NO censor. He says whats on his mind all the time. I have a really thick skin when it comes to him, but the random strangers he talks to… not so much. As for you son, did she at least let him get a running start?
You had me at ” I do most of the cooking in my household..”
Reaction to overall post? Ouch.
Hilarious! The honesty of children is always way funnier when they aren’t your own kids.
“I’m going to miss my son…” ROFL!
Ah, the fine line between encouraging honesty and rewarding tact.
As for accepting criticism, I’m actually more defensive than my wife, which is surprising. She allows the kids to critique when things are too salty, etc. I’m usually the one to say grin and bear it and say thank you. Wonder how many other families have different attitudes when it comes to the kids’ voicing opinions on food. I know my grandmother would have ’slapped the taste out my mouth’ as the saying goes.
I enjoy reading your posts. That was a great story! I’m glad that your meal was a hit and a lesson was learned from it as well.
And the chicken tasted like wood! LOL
Hilarious! So sweet and out of the mouths of babes for sure!
LMAO!! Oh my God, this made me laugh! lol!
Funny stuff. Well now you have a taste tester. She can taste your creations prior to dinner parties to save you the dismay of preparing a bad dish. Not that it would ever happen though…
Sometimes the truth hurts. I’m just saying.
Happy Father’s Day!
Hugs and Mocha,
Stesha
LOVE IT!!! I can’t wait to hear stories about your TEENAGERS in a few years!!! Keep em’ coming!
Hilarious!
My husband does most of the cooking in our house too.
That was really funny! It’s wonderful that you were able to teach your daughter such a great life lesson on sparing people’s feelings. Sounds like it’s time for your 5-year old to get the same lesson? LOL, that was great.
Ha! I guess that’s the catch-22, eh? We encourage them to be honest…but we’re bound to be on the business end of for the time it takes them to learn subtlety…
Too funny!
It takes a while to tame the brutal honesty of kids and we have to do it for them to get along in the world, but I like their straightforward authenticity. They let you know how they really feel and what their really thinking. I laughted out loud. Thanks.
This is the kind of conversation that takes place every time I attempt to cook. I dont know why they make me do it! It always ends the same way! When will these people learn that I do not now nor will ever possess culinary skills!!! I love how you turn situations like this into teaching opportunities. I learn so much from you, Fred. Thanks for sharing!
Hilarious! Children are so candid. I enjoy your blog and recommended it to my readers. Have a good day!
Oh man thanks for a great laugh…kids I swear….
sounds like you need a sit down talk with your son too lol….brave brave little boy…