Here’s another cross-post from our food blog, an entry from my Cooking with Kids series, which I like to call “I got 99 problems, but a meal ain’t one.”

Like I said, I’m here all week, folks …

When I was a kid, I hated the nights my parents said we were having sandwiches for dinner. It just sounds boring, doesn’t it?

Of course, now that I’m an adult, I actually look forward to sandwiches sometimes; they’re quick and easy and very versatile.

To keep things entertaining, on sandwich nights I try to engage the kids by bringing in an interesting element or having them help with dinner.

Giving them choices

When I was a younger mother, I belonged to a now-defunct message board for mothers. I learned so much about motherhood from that site, but one lesson I use constantly is to pick your battles with your children. They want to have power and control over themselves, just like adults; an easy way to do that is to give them choices and let them make their own decisions (or let them think they are – parenting is just trickery with a more sophisticated name).

To be clear, just in case this is your first visit, I inherited the part of my father that dislikes being a short-order cook. Just like him, I don’t do it. I decide what we’re having for dinner and if you don’t like it, you either shut your mouth and eat or you go hungry.

My pickiest eater, Emma, was taught by her former teacher, “You get what you get and you don’t fuss a bit.” (Ironic considering she usually does the fussing. lol.)

My dad? Well, he’s famous for saying, “This ain’t Mickey D’s!” That will probably go on his headstone.

I usually always stick to this mentality, but sometimes I’ll give them choices. Sandwich nights are always DIY Dinners, meaning you choose what you eat, so they’re already hooked.

Can I take your order?

Last week we had a Lunchbox Dinner – sandwiches, Cheez-Its, string cheese and juice boxes served in their lunchboxes. It went over very, very well!

This week I decided to bring back an idea we tried a few months ago: child labor. I mean, role-playing.

Jaiden, who turns eight in 10 days, enjoys playing waitress and has pretended to run a little restaurant serving snacks several times. Tonight she donned one of my aprons, read the rest of the family our menu (with sandwich options, sides and drinks) and took their orders. Once the cook, which would be moi, finished making the plates, Jaiden also served them.

Not only does this make dinner fun and more enjoyable, but it gives children a sense of pride, self-confidence and makes them feel important when they help.

“It’s fun asking everybody’s order … what they want to drink, what they want on their sandwich, it’s just really fun to be a waitress,” Jaiden said. “Bringing the food out is fun and carrying it up high is fun.”

The other children were jealous and are eagerly awaiting their turn, but having their big sister wait on them was still fun.

“It’s fun because I can choose whatever I want that’s on the list,” Jaylen, 6.5, said. He’s often particular about what he eats and is the one who, of all four children, most enjoys having choices. He also enjoys having his sister do things for him once in awhile. “I didn’t have to do everything, I don’t have to get my napkins or my own drink.”

Jenna, who’s four, apparently sees a more compassionate side of her older sister at times like these.

“She’s giving us a lot of good food and good drinks and let us do good things, like coming in her room.” (Because, honestly, that’s what this is all about: going in Jaiden’s room without a fight.)

Waiting on her brother, sister and father also gives Jaiden lessons in paying attention to details and proverbial foot-washing (serving others).

“When you’re doing it, you have to know the right food and give them the right food,” she said. “And you have to do what they ask, like if they want a refill, give them a refill.”

Sounds pretty simple, right?

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