My four year old will throw away whatever I make him, then wait until I'm distracted and help himself in the fridge. I bought child locks for the fridge and it took him a whole 3 days to figure it out.
She helps me make almost every meal, it still doesn't help.
She literally won't even take a bite. I've tried everything from offering rewards to punishment. I've offered cookies and ice cream for dessert or making her sit there for an hour. She is THE most stubborn child I've ever met.
My son was that way around that age, maybe a bit earlier. It was always a fight. He got his stubbornness from me! ? Finally, one day DH and I decided that we would no longer force him to eat. I put healthy options in front of him and if he eats, great. If he doesn't- oh well. He will get no snacks if he chooses not to eat, he has to wait for the next meal. I have NEVER heard of a kid starving themselves when food is readily available to them. Eventually, he gets hungry enough and he eats. It's much less stressful for DH & me. Our son is now 7 and is a GREAT eater. Some of his FAVORITE foods are: salad, broccoli, asparagus, tilapia, salmon, grilled chicken, etc. Of course he also loves tacos, pizza, PB&J, etc. But he enjoys a variety of foods, including many healthy options.
On a side note, your SO sabotaged you by giving your LO a cutie. Rules are rules. If he makes a rule, you need to respect and enforce that rule and vice versa. Also, he is making the situation worse. By offering her an alternative food, she is learning that 1) she can get her way 2) she doesn't have to eat because she'll get a snack she likes more later anyways. I understand cuties are fruit and healthy. However, that wasn't the point- the point was for her to eat the dinner offered to her. Or stay hungry and eat at the next meal. Good luck.
When I was little I hated meat. HATED IT. It tasted like blood to me. Any meat at all. Well my dad was super old school and would make me starve for dinner if I didn't eat it. So I would just not eat. He said if I was hungry enough I would eat. Well one day he wouldn't let me get up from the table until I hate a bite of the beef stew he made. I picked up a piece of meat with my spoon, stared at it, and projectile vomited everywhere lol. He never forced me to eat anything I didn't want again. I out grew it when I hit puberty, and now I couldn't live without meat.
deleted-user·
We don't allow snacking and they don't get a choice. Eat what i make or starve.
deleted-user·
I'd like to know too!
My four year old will throw away whatever I make him, then wait until I'm distracted and help himself in the fridge. I bought child locks for the fridge and it took him a whole 3 days to figure it out.
deleted-user·
I dont allow picky eaters in my house. Also nobody leaves the table until your plate is empty. I hate throwing food away!
deleted-user·
I've made fruit/veggie smoothies so that way my son still gets nutrients. In the summer, I make Popsicles out of them
deleted-user·
My lo is only 2 so if he refuses to eat I won't force him.
deleted-user·
Why don't you get her involved in food preparation?
Usually when I do that my dd always want to taste her creation!!
Ashley Roan·
She helps me make almost every meal, it still doesn't help.
She literally won't even take a bite. I've tried everything from offering rewards to punishment. I've offered cookies and ice cream for dessert or making her sit there for an hour. She is THE most stubborn child I've ever met.
deleted-user·
? have you tried making fun food?
deleted-user·
My son was that way around that age, maybe a bit earlier. It was always a fight. He got his stubbornness from me! ? Finally, one day DH and I decided that we would no longer force him to eat. I put healthy options in front of him and if he eats, great. If he doesn't- oh well. He will get no snacks if he chooses not to eat, he has to wait for the next meal. I have NEVER heard of a kid starving themselves when food is readily available to them. Eventually, he gets hungry enough and he eats. It's much less stressful for DH & me. Our son is now 7 and is a GREAT eater. Some of his FAVORITE foods are: salad, broccoli, asparagus, tilapia, salmon, grilled chicken, etc. Of course he also loves tacos, pizza, PB&J, etc. But he enjoys a variety of foods, including many healthy options.
On a side note, your SO sabotaged you by giving your LO a cutie. Rules are rules. If he makes a rule, you need to respect and enforce that rule and vice versa. Also, he is making the situation worse. By offering her an alternative food, she is learning that 1) she can get her way 2) she doesn't have to eat because she'll get a snack she likes more later anyways. I understand cuties are fruit and healthy. However, that wasn't the point- the point was for her to eat the dinner offered to her. Or stay hungry and eat at the next meal. Good luck.
deleted-user·
Smoothies have been my life saver with my 2 year old. I pack so many veggies into her fruit smoothies it's ridiculous.
deleted-user·
Story tine!
When I was little I hated meat. HATED IT. It tasted like blood to me. Any meat at all. Well my dad was super old school and would make me starve for dinner if I didn't eat it. So I would just not eat. He said if I was hungry enough I would eat. Well one day he wouldn't let me get up from the table until I hate a bite of the beef stew he made. I picked up a piece of meat with my spoon, stared at it, and projectile vomited everywhere lol. He never forced me to eat anything I didn't want again. I out grew it when I hit puberty, and now I couldn't live without meat.
Ashley Roan·
Lol, pp!!
I was a very picky eater too as a child, I would sit at the table for hours.