Why Are Parents Not Always Creative with Their Child’s Food?

It’s 7:30 a.m. The kitchen is buzzing with half-packed lunchboxes, the toaster is working overtime, and a parent is trying to get one child to wear socks while the other refuses to eat breakfast. In moments like these, food isn’t about creativity—it’s about survival.

And yet, a quiet thought lingers in the minds of many: “Am I being boring with my child’s meals? Why can’t I think of something new?”

So, why is it that some parents aren’t as creative with food for their children? Is it that they don’t know what to prepare? Or is it that they simply don’t want to?

The “Don’t Know” Story

Take Meera, for example. She grew up eating simple dal, roti, and rice every day. When she became a mother, she knew she wanted her child to eat well—but she didn’t really know how to make meals “fun.”

She worries: “What if I try something new and my child refuses? What if it isn’t healthy enough?” And so, she falls back on the familiar. Safe. Predictable. Repetitive.

It’s not that she doesn’t care. It’s that she simply doesn’t know what else is possible.

The “Don’t Want To” Story

Now, picture Rohan. He leaves for work at 8 a.m. and comes back home late in the evening. His mornings are a rush, his evenings are exhausted. He has a hundred things on his mind—and shaping sandwiches into stars is the last of his worries.

He thinks: “As long as my child eats and doesn’t go hungry, it’s good enough.”

For Rohan, it’s not about lack of knowledge—it’s about lack of time, energy, and space to experiment. Creativity, though desirable, feels like an extra burden.

The Common Thread

Whether it’s Meera or Rohan, one truth shines through: parents deeply care about their child’s nutrition. It’s never about not loving or not prioritizing their kids. It’s about juggling responsibilities, fighting exhaustion, and sometimes, feeling unsure.

Rewriting the Story: Small Shifts That Matter

Here’s where the story can change. Creativity doesn’t need to mean elaborate recipes or hours in the kitchen. Sometimes, it’s about the little things:

• Dropping a handful of colorful veggies into noodles.

• Cutting fruit into fun shapes once in a while.

• Letting children choose between two healthy options.

• Introducing one new food a week, paired with something familiar.

These aren’t grand gestures, but small shifts that bring freshness and fun without overwhelming parents.

The Ending

At the end of the day, children don’t remember perfectly plated meals. They remember the giggles at the dining table, the excitement of trying something new, and the love tucked into every bite.

Parents don’t need to be chefs—they already are storytellers. And every meal, no matter how simple, is a story of care.

So maybe the real question isn’t “Why aren’t parents creative?” but rather “How can we support them to make creativity easy, joyful, and part of everyday life?”

Because in the eyes of a child, their parent is already a hero—meal after meal.