When Subtitles Get Lost in Translation

Have you ever tried to upload a video to Instagram and wanted to use the automatic subtitle feature -only to realize the subtitles make absolutely no sense? If you’ve ever experienced that, you’ll probably nod along as you read this.

A Little Backstory…

Yesterday, I was editing a short video where I made delicious apple bars that my kids absolutely loved. I trimmed it down, added a voiceover, and thought: since I usually watch all videos without sound, wouldn’t it be great to include automatic subtitles?

Instagram offers an auto-caption tool. Sounds helpful, right? But the subtitles that came out of it made me laugh out loud. I knew I had a German accent, but I had no idea the AI would have such a hard time understanding me. I seriously considered posting the video just for the laughs.

A Different Perspective

Then it hit me: maybe this is exactly what it’s like for our picky eaters.

Maybe they’re trying to tell us something – and we get part of the message, but another part gets lost or misinterpreted. We jump to conclusions or finish their sentences in our minds, thinking we already know what they’re going to say.

But maybe they’re really trying to explain something – like why they don’t want to eat a certain food, or what it is about the texture or taste that bothers them. And just like with small children, even older kids often can’t articulate why they dislike something.

Why Words Fall Short

Let’s be honest – how many of us can really explain why we don’t like onions for example? Kids face the same challenge, and it’s up to us to stay calm, listen, and try to decode what they’re really saying. Maybe they don’t like how something was prepared. Maybe the flavor is too intense – or too bland.

The Real Message Behind the Rejection

What I’m trying to say is: sometimes it’s just a translation issue. Just like my subtitles, the message was there – but it wasn’t coming through clearly. I had to tweak a few things, fix the subtitles, and in the end, it all made sense.

It’s the same with our picky eaters. Stay open, listen closely, and adjust where needed. After all, there’s no better place to do that than your own kitchen – where you can work together with your child to find a version of a meal they can enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Just like my subtitle experience, not everything comes across perfectly the first time. But that doesn’t mean the message isn’t worth decoding.

Keep listening. Keep adjusting. And keep baking – with love. 💛

Are you also navigating the world of picky eaters? Let me know in the comments how you decode their likes and dislikes when it comes to food! If you’re looking for more practical tips on homemade snacks and how to make mealtime easier for picky eaters, follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my YouTube channel. Together, we can make snack time fun and stress-free for the whole family! 💛

Warmly, 

Denise