cooking for 8 different tasters

I have discovered that cooking for 7-8 people for most meals can be quite frustrating if you give into every one's likes, and dislikes. So to simplify meals, and snacks I came up with some, mostly, stringent rules. I am only lenient if someone is sick. I have three major rules when it comes to mealtimes. 1. They can choose to be picky about one item (sour cream, raw tomatoes, oatmeal, and celery are ones that 4 of my kids chose, and the item chosen can not change day to day, that doesn't mean I make something separate for those that don't like celery in the celery, chicken casserole, they are just aloud to pick it out). 2. If you don't like what I fixed you go without ( I am not totally ruthless about this rule, because I generally make things that everyone already eats well). 3. Lastly if I hear whining about the menu the whiner gets excused from the meal ( they really have to be throwing a tantrum though to get sent away from the table, this one got put into affect after a Thanksgiving meal that Eric, and I made, and they totally turned their noses up at it! We don't generally get together with family so we cook all the traditional things plus some of our own recipes. We really make it a big deal). It might sound harsh, but for the sake of keeping my sanity I had to come up with some rules for everyone.
I try and keep a simple but tasty collection of recipes that everyone can enjoy (maby not favorites, but they will eat it). I have found also that if they help make it they will eat it. Then every once in a while I will slip something new in, and continue to slip it in until it becomes a regular. If I am making something I know they do not like I make sure the side dish is popular.(like last Thursday I wanted to try out a kabob recipe, I knew they wouldn't eat the bell peppers, & mushrooms, so I made a rice dish I knew they liked for the side, they also have to at least taste everything). This way they don't go to bed hungry. My kids have a hard time getting to sleep, and staying asleep on an empty stomach. I definitely don't need more bedtime stress, but that's another blog. ;o)