Not eating

I have a strict policy of only making one meal for dinner. I also am careful about the food I choose for them. My mother who watches them tues and thurs is not careful. My DS is not eating much at all. I made whole wheat pizza with edamame, and clementines for dinner tonite and he ate NOTHING. I asked him to try a bite of everything, which he did, and said he didn't like it. He would eat cereal every meal if I let him. I just don't want to get into a situation where he never eats dinners b/c he knows he'll get something 'better'... He seems to be growing fine (pedi has no concerns). Anyone BTDT and can tell me it will get better??

 

Does he not eat at all, or did he just not eat tonight? If it's just once in a while, I wouldn't worry. If there are many meals when he literally eats nothing, then IMO you may want to relax your strict policy a little.

I totally agree with you in theory, but I also have one extremely picky eater, and I would rather bend the rules a little for her than have her just not eat. So, for instance, tonight I made pasta with cauliflower in red cream sauce, but I served them separately, so she could just eat plain pasta (which she did). If it's not possible to serve the ingredients separately or if I know she probably won't eat any of it, I will serve some bread with the meal. OTOH, if I serve something I know she likes (pizza, fruit, plain pasta) and she still doesn't eat, I figure that is her choice.

I understand the desire to teach them to eat what is on the table -- but I also have many unhappy memories from childhood of having to eat things I really, truly did not like. I don't want her to have to choose between eating something she thinks tastes yucky and going hungry. Maybe I'm being too soft, but it seems to be working OK for us so far.

 

So I don't think that sounds soft... I guess my main problem is I never know what he will eat on any given day. He will not eat fruit or veggies, and I don't want to serve him noodles or cereal every meal. I never force him to eat and he never requests anything else I just am worried...

 

He's just a 3 yr. old. If you don't give in, I suspect he'll come around! (Or so they say) I'm a bad example, but "THEY SAY" they won't go hungry! They'll eat if they are hungry!

 

I generally just have an option for them. If they don't want what I gave them, they can have cereal, usually cheerios. AT least then i know they've eaten something and gotten soem grains and milk...

 

I know I am going to sound like a jerk, but if thathad been my option for dinner, I would rather have cereal too

 

QUOTE(Twinsylvania April @ Dec 10 2008, 02:36 PM) [snapback]1105161[/snapback]
I know I am going to sound like a jerk, but if thathad been my option for dinner, I would rather have cereal too

I had 3 responses typed out but this is really mean. That is all.

 

When I was growing up my mom only cooked one meal as well, but we always had the option to eat what was served or make ourselves a pb&j sandwich. I liked that rule and will probably use it with my kids as they get older as well. My concern about 'eat this or nothing' is one they won't eat and two it becomes a power struggle and makes meal time no fun. I think meal times should be family time and viewed in a positive light (in the perfect world). I guess I would pick my battles and keep offering the dinner (with a second, boring, self prepared when he's old enough option) and eventually he may come around.

 

I am guessing that the edemame and clementines were served with the pizza, not on it. I don't think she meant to be mean, it's just that the pizza would be pretty unusual with those toppings on it.

I have a very picky eater and we've had to relax a little bit to get him to eat at all. This has slowly turned in to me letting him eat junk, just so he will not be starving. He will refuse to eat any food he doesn't like (not even a bite to try it) and then he's a little demon for the rest of the evening because he's hungry.

If I had it to do over again, I would stick to my guns and let him learn that what is on the table is all there is. It sounds like you are giving him a well rounded meal with several different choices so just follow your instincts and keep doing that.

 

Read the book "Child of mine: feeding with love and good sense" it is such a feel good book and it really has a great philosophy on feeding children. It is not a recipe book. It gives great insight into the various ages and problems with food.

I'm sorry about things being different in parenting styles with your mother but if you remain consistent in your parenting style then your son will just learn that he can't get away with you what he can with her.

buy the book or look for it in the library, really worth the read.

Heather