Simple Farmhouse Life Podcast – Episode 317

Picky Eaters, Kitchen Helpers: Simple Strategies for Family Mealtime
Guest: Madison Wetherill of Cook at Home Mom
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Lisa Bass

Episode Overview

In this episode, Lisa Bass welcomes Madison Wetherill of Cook at Home Mom for a lively and practical discussion focused on transforming family mealtimes. Together, they explore strategies for dealing with picky eating, getting kids of all ages involved in the kitchen, and creating meal routines that work for real, busy households. Madison and Lisa share personal stories, practical tips, and encouragement for moms at any stage, offering deep reassurance that dinnertime can be both joyful and manageable—even with a house full of kids.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introducing Madison Wetherill and the Theme (02:11–03:09)

• Madison explains her background as a food blogger focused on easy, family-friendly dinners for busy households.
• The conversation sets the tone: “It’s all about making dinner a family affair, getting kids involved, and handling picky eaters.”

2. Recipe Flexibility and Meal Variety (03:09–06:25)

• Madison shares her most popular recipes: sweet Hawaiian chicken (crock pot, 3 ingredients), Swedish meatballs (dairy and gluten free, but adaptable), and one-pan meals like garlic steak bites.
• Lisa: “Less dishes.”
• Madison emphasizes swapping ingredients and making simple adjustments based on dietary needs or what’s on hand.
• Both agree that comfort with substitutions and flexibility comes with time and practice.

3. Managing Picky Eaters (06:25–15:30)

• Madison describes her experience with three boys: two adventurous eaters, one pickier.
  • Shares a recent win: her son tried and liked chili after years of refusing it, under no pressure.
• Madison:

  “I promise I’m not going to make a big deal. If you like it, that’s awesome. And if you don’t, that’s okay too.” (06:57)

• Family rule: “Mom and dad are in charge of what’s for dinner. You’re in charge of whether or not you eat it.” (08:52)
• No separate “kid meals” and not forcing “just one bite;” instead, food is presented without pressure and with consistent options.
• Importance of “safe foods”—always having at least one food on the table kids will reliably eat, such as bread, fruit, or salad.
  • Madison: “That can be a good, like, thing to consider... at least you know they’re going to eat that.” (13:25)
• Both hosts stress the role of age: toddlers are naturally picky as a safety measure (18:41–20:23), but most kids grow out of it if parents stay relaxed and consistent.

4. Giving Kids Ownership and Choice (15:30–17:41)

• Encourage participation and conversation around mealtimes instead of issuing orders.
  • “What would make this taste yummier?” Sometimes the answer is ketchup or ranch, but kids feel empowered by being asked.
• Lisa adds: "At some point, you can eventually reason with older kids. You can't really explain to a toddler why." (12:54)
• Milk as a nutritious option for kids who skip dinner is offered as a compromise.

5. The Role of Parental Attitude and Family Culture (14:54–15:30)

• Madison: “So much of it is just like, how we approach it... There’s hope. Trust me. If I grew out of it, your kids can grow out of it too.”
• Both women talk about the futility of power struggles with toddlers and the importance of picking battles.

6. Getting Kids Involved in Meal Prep (24:15–33:26)

• Start with tiny tasks: stirring, fetching ingredients, tearing lettuce, washing vegetables, slicing bananas or strawberries with toddler-safe knives.
  • “Let your kids help in the smallest way that you can think of.” (00:00, repeated at 24:30)
• Toddlers love to “help” even if it’s just for a few moments. Set up a bowl with flour and water for sensory play.
• Benefits: Older kids eventually become genuinely helpful—can start rice, follow a recipe, or even cook dinner with minimal supervision.
  • Madison: “I’m so glad I let them help at the beginning.” (28:31)
• Lisa notes the importance of continuing to engage younger/less experienced kids as older siblings become competent helpers.

7. Age-Appropriate Kitchen Tasks (31:13–33:26)

• Actual helpfulness varies greatly by child and by age, but “as soon as kids can read,” they can help with recipes and ingredient lists.
• Homeschooling links: including lessons in fractions, measuring, and following instructions.

8. Family Meal Planning (33:26–37:04)

• Madison’s weekly routine: spends 10 minutes (sometimes more) planning 5 dinners based on the family calendar and favorite meal list (shared with her husband on their phones).
• Kids pick meals themselves—another way to increase buy-in and reduce pickiness.
  • “That's another great way for kids to have more buy-in—with what is being served to them, is if they get to pick a meal.” (34:07)

9. Go-To Meals for Busy Weeks (37:04–39:01)

• Favorites: meatballs (Swedish, Moroccan, Greek, etc.), taco meals in various forms, ground meat for speed and flexibility, cubed chicken breast for stir-fry or shredded for bowls and salads.
• Use of the Instant Pot for broth and rice, and the air fryer for daily side dishes, main proteins, and quick reheating.

10. Kitchen Tools & Appliances (42:10–44:53)

• Top tools: Instant Pot (as pressure cooker and slow cooker), air fryer (for quick, crispy results), cast iron skillet.
  • Madison: “We use [the air fryer] every single day, multiple times a day.” (42:45)
• Air fryer especially convenient for adults and smaller families; large batches may need oven sheet pans.

11. Managing Multiple Helpers (45:15–49:16)

• Allocate multi-step recipes so each child handles a part (e.g., one mixes, one mashes, one spoons batter).
• Let personalities and preferences guide task assignment.
• Incorporate cleanup, table setting, grocery unpacking, and even online grocery ordering as meaningful, age-appropriate household contributions.

12. Broader Lessons Beyond Cooking (49:16–52:01)

• Kids should understand where food comes from and how it gets to the table.
• Inventory management—keeping staples stocked—is an overlooked but critical homemaking skill to pass along.

13. Cook at Home Mom Resources and Madison's Offerings (52:01–55:31)

• Madison recommends starting with her “family friendly dinner recipes,” especially 30-minutes-or-less options.
• Madison: “You don’t have to sacrifice and eat boring food just because we don’t have time or need to eat healthy.”
• Announcements: Balance Dinner Club (meal plan membership), website (cookathomemom.com), and an upcoming YouTube channel.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Madison: “If I want him to help in the future... I gotta start now with letting him help.” (00:00, 24:30)
• Lisa: “I always tell people, the first step is to have the meat thawed out. Then you can take any of these ideas and quickly jump on them.” (54:10)
• Madison: “Mom and dad are in charge of what’s for dinner. You’re in charge of whether or not you eat it.” (08:52)
• Lisa: “You might think they’ll never eat again, but they will.” (11:53)
• Madison: “As the parent, we can come alongside them understanding that... a lot of the battles with pickiness is actually just safety.” (18:41)
• Lisa: “It’s okay if it doesn’t look perfect... the idea is just the willingness to allow them to help you.” (46:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Madison’s Background: 02:11–03:09
• Top Recipes & Adaptability: 03:09–06:25
• Dealing with Picky Eaters: 06:25–15:30
• Empowering Kids at the Table: 15:30–17:41
• Toddler Pickiness = Safety: 18:41–20:23
• Getting Kids Involved in Prep: 24:15–28:31
• Older Kids as Helpers: 28:31–33:26
• Meal Planning Strategies: 33:26–37:04
• Go-To Dinners: 37:04–39:01
• Kitchen Tools: 42:10–44:53
• Multiple Helpers & Dividing Tasks: 45:15–49:16
• Beyond Cooking—Life Skills: 49:16–52:01
• Where to Find Madison & Her Resources: 52:01–55:31

Closing

This episode is packed with encouragement and real-world tactics: from handling picky toddlers (with science on your side!) to building up kitchen confidence in kids who might one day cook your dinner. Lisa and Madison reassure listeners that family meals don’t have to be complicated or perfect—they just need to be consistent, flexible, and shared.

Find Madison:

• Website: cookathomemom.com
• Balance Dinner Club (meal plans): See website
• New YouTube channel: Coming soon!

Find Lisa:

• Podcast archives, courses, and blog: farmhouseonboone.com

Perfect for any parent who feels alone in the dinner struggle—this episode delivers practical, compassionate, and doable mealtime strategies for any home.