What to do when your child just won't eat?

[Wynette]

Quote:
This is how we were raised....long before microwaves. Our food was reheated in the oven. Talk about disgusting the 2nd time around! Took me one time to "decide" to eat what was put out in a timely fashion.

 

[Lifesong Farm]

Quote:
I have a 7yr old going through another phase and this is what we do. Sometimes it takes two more meals but she eventually eats it. (We do only do this one with foods we know she likes or did before that meal) ones we know she doesn't like she just needs to take a token effort at eating them then she doesn't get snacks beween then and the next meal.

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Quote:
This is how we were raised....long before microwaves. Our food was reheated in the oven. Talk about disgusting the 2nd time around! Took me one time to "decide" to eat what was put out in a timely fashion.

My kids have pretty much stopped it since we started doing that with them. Having to eat dinner for breakfast isn't very appetizing, but doesn't hurt them any.

 

[chickaddict]

I can't even imagine this one.


My children ate anything that didn't try to eat them first. If a child got up during dinner for any reason there was usually something missing from his plate when he got back. If DH was going to be late for dinner I would store his in the oven so the bottomless pits wouldn't wipe everything out.

They didn't get fussy until they were teenagers. By then my general response was and still is "make it yourself"

 

[Ridgerunner]

Quote:
Every once in a while Debi nails it. This is one of those times.

A somewhat related story. Our 7 year old decided he was not going to get dressed in time to catch the school bus. After a few days of this, my wife threw him and his clothes out the front door when it was time to go outside to catch the bus. That Spiderman underwear was cute. The next day, he did not believe she would do it again. She did. After that, he believed her.

 

[biddyboo]

This is a power control play on your daughter's part. And yes, even though she is young, she knows how to play and manipulate you. First, you need not fear that she will go hungry or be hurt if she does not eat. She will, eventually, and that will be okay. Offer her what your family is eating for the meal, small portions appropriate to her age. Give her a limited but reasonable amount of time to eat, say by the time all of your family members are finished. When you clean the table, remove her food as well. Period. No discussion, no negotiations. She will be welcome to eat at the next table time (mid morning snack for example or lunch...). Same thing. Same procedure. Each table time. With a reduction in confrontation time and an increase in harmony (on your part if not on hers at first), you should eventually see her willing to nibble, then eat, and do it within the family dining or snack time. Patience on your part is essential because this does not end quickly. Good luck! Lots of us have been in your shoes, and we do know that you do get past this, but not until you stop the game. ~G

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

When mine get fussy about food I stop giving treats. They are only allowed to eat the "undesirable" food and whatever they can forage in the run. After a couple days the hens are back to normal.

 

[Souperchicken]

My advice would be - don't let it turn into a power struggle, it leaves everyone frustrated. Also I don't think it is wise to make someone eat when they are not hungry.

My 4 year old doesn't eat breakfast very well, and then 1/2 later she is hungry. Here are some rule we use that works well for our family.
1. If you don't eat all of your firsts, no seconds or snacks. I never make them eat all their food, it is their choice, but if they haven't eaten much, I save their plate and when they ask for a snack I tell them they must finish their meal and if they are still hungry afterward they can have the snack. I start this over a every meal, so they aren't forced to eat anything they don't want to.
2. If you play with your food, you must not be very hungry, therefore they are done eating. If there is a lot left, I will again save their meal for when they do feel hungry and pull it out when they ask for a snack. They still have the choice whether or not to eat it and have the snack afterward.
3. If you get up from the table to play, you are done eating. One of my children can't sit still and would literally jump up and play and run back to eat. Drove me crazy, so we had to make this rule for him.
I'm not always a stickler to these rules, but the kids do know them so when there is an issue I just remind them of the rules..
Hope that all made sense...

Just wanted to add that if our children complain about the meal, they just get a slice or two of bread for dinner. It seems to work pretty good.

 

[vfem]

Everything with her is just a toy... remember... she gets mad if I take it away and call it done!

She actually tells me she wants it! She's doesn't actually do any of the 'ewwww' or 'i hate peas' thing. That's the frustration! I will go back to the timer though, I really liked that idea... but hubby would just reset it, and reset it... I wanted to scream!

Her dr tells me to just let her sit with it? Really? So I don't have a life and can sit and watch her play with her food 6 hours out of every day? What a quack!

I've got so much stress on me right now... I'm afraid she's going to make me lose my mind before the holiday ever gets here! But I will hold it in, and try with all I got to get though this. Maybe I will see a change here soon.

Thanks for the advice...

 

[vfem]

Chicken.Lytle :

When mine get fussy about food I stop giving treats. They are only allowed to eat the "undesirable" food and whatever they can forage in the run. After a couple days the hens are back to normal.