There are mums who cook basic dishes only because they're the only meals the children will eat. She misses out on the types of food she likes because her children refuse to eat anything else.
There are mums who have partners with really plain palettes who won't eat anything remotely exciting, interesting, tasty or different. They either have to eat those bland meals or cook something separate for themselves.
I know mums who barely or rarely cook for their children because their children won't eat much of anything. So it's takeaway and junk food.
When it come to dinner time they way I see it is this.
The meals you cook for your family should be balanced and have different food groups. By balanced I mean not all sugar or salt or carbs or meat for eg. The meals should be varied so you and your family get to try different types of foods. This is how we get all our nutrients.
By now you would have heard how we're eating more than ever before and yet a majority of us are undernourished. That's because there's little nutrients in a burger, fried chicken or 2 minute noodles. So when your child has a hissy fit and doesn't want to eat those carrots even though they're good for them the bottom line is "Tough luck, if you want to grow big and strong you're going to have to eat those carrots*."
* Every one has at least one type of food they really really really don't like eating. For me it's peas. For some it's mushrooms, or Brussels sprouts, or meat, or capsicum. I know the one or two foods my family members don't really like and I avoid cooking them, or cook them finely chopped and well cooked so they can't be tasted. However they don't get to avoid everything they dislike!
We all get turns at having a meal we enjoy regardless of who else isn't fond of that dish.
One of my children had a period of being a fussy eater and I remedied that in three days!!! I understand my child didn't like eating meat and that's ok, but no-one can live off plain rice and pasta. There HAS to be other nutritional foods going into the body. I did the "Don't want it? Then leave the table" thing for three nights and by the third night my child was eating what was given without fuss.
Thing is if a child is hungry enough they'll eat what's given which is the way it should be! That's why you should persist as a good and decent parent by giving your child the option to eat what's on their plate or go without. And if you raise them that way from the beginning it's easier. None of this, "I'll make you something different." You're not their servant, it's not a restaurant where everyone orders separate meals. You're their guardian, their role model, the person they look up to (at least you should be). So cook healthy, eat healthy and don't make your life harder by cooking separate meals for everyone. And on occasion cook that meal you really love and if no one else wants it too bad... let them make their own dinner!
Are you making a rod for your own back and cooking separate meals for you child/ren and partner? Or do you believe children should eat what they're given?
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