Hey, don’t take it personally if my kids won’t eat something you’ve made for them. Really, it’s not you, it’s them. And after 5 years, I’ve begun to crack the code on why my kids sometimes don’t eat their food. Here’s what I’ve learned so far . . .

1. It looks funny
2. It smells funny
3. It feels funny
4. It tastes funny
5. It’s too mushy
6. It’s too hard
7. It’s too hot
8. It’s too cold
9. It’s too spicy
10. There’s too much
11. There’s not enough
12. There’s green stuff in it
13. There’s brown stuff in it
14. There’s orange stuff in it
15. There’s yellow stuff in it
16. There’s red stuff in it
17. They ate it yesterday
18. They’ve never had it before
19. Their friends don’t like it
20. There’s no ketchup to go with it
21. It’s not covered in chocolate
22. They can’t pronounce it
23. They’re full
24. They have belly aches
25. Their mouths hurt
26. Their throats hurt
27. Their hands are broken
28. They don’t like the utensils
29. The dog won’t eat it
30. The cat won’t eat it
31. They want something else
32. It “accidentally” dropped on the ground
33. They’re saving it for later
34. It’s on their plate and not yours
35. The dessert you’ve promised them if they eat it all is not adequate