Adapted from a recent online discussion.
Question: My husband and I fight about food, constantly. I grew up with fresh food. He grew up with chips and a candy bar as an integral part of every meal.
It wasn't a big deal when we first got together, but I've since changed a lot (vegetarian, but I'll cook meat for him), and he believes he's the one making all of the compromises. That's true, but since they're for health reasons, I think he should do it and stick around another 50 to 70 years.
Oh, and our young kids are now very aware of what's on Daddy's plate versus theirs.
I know I'm being a pain, too, but I'm sick and tired of Husband complaining about what I'm cooking, and the kids screaming for what's on Daddy's plate. I don't have the energy to make two dinners every night. Any suggestions? Both of us are at healthy weights, but have a lot of diseases in our families that are helped by healthy diets.
Answer: How about a deal: You back off on the food he eats, and he doesn't eat it around the kids.
That leaves the problem's roots intact, but since your husband apparently doesn't buy into healthy examples for children(!), you have to anticipate his being too far gone to accept reason. So, surface will have to do - and if you must settle for one goal, your kids' relationship with food is the best one.
Question: Let me get this straight: Wife didn't have an issue with Hubby's diet before, he's at a "healthy weight," she's (now) a vegetarian, and he's the one who's "so far gone"?
I applaud you for "allowing" hubby to eat what he wants, but Wife seems to have pulled a bait-and-switch. I would have thought you'd tell him to cook his own meals - and let her cook for herself and the kids.
Answer: Sure, if it were about meat. But chips and candy bars?
The arrival of kids trumps any bait-and-switch. Plenty of people grant an adult the right to (bad habit), and even marry that adult knowing that (bad habit) is part of the package. But when kids arrive, so do new priorities. (Bad habit) is now a terrible, potentially harmful example for the kids - so adult has to either shape up or take (bad habit) outside.
If his bad habit were smoking, then I doubt you'd be crying "bait-and-switch."
