Would you make your 4-year-old sit at the table until she ate her food?

Question

She refuses to even *try* it, but she's begging to go to sleep... I'm weakening...

She's been taking it hard that her sister just started Kindergarten, I don't know if that has anything to do with it...

Ohhh. I cut junk food out last week... it has *not* been pretty...

It is hard not to get angry... when I was growing up there were nights when we had no food... thats what goes through my head every time they try to waste food...

Answer 1

Personally, I would make her eat a few bites, if not all of it. She needs to learn that she does not get everything that she wants, if you do not teach her now, when she gets a little older, she will walk all over you. You could also try this, tell her she has 30 minutes to eat, then if she still does not eat, tell her, that there will be no sweets, or snacks until she eats a real meal. I know this may sound a little harsh, however, they have to eat and listen to you now or they will end up walking all over you when they get a little older.

Answer 2

GOOD LUCK! My 3 year old is going thru this right now. I suggest not giving her any snacks for about 2 hours before meal time. And then telling her the kitchen is closed after this meal. She will eat when she is hungry. My daughter has even gotten so that she says "The Kitchen is closed" after she eats her last bite. And she doesn't ask for food again until the morning. She still doesn't eat as much as I would like for her to eat. But she does try something. It was a real tough road for about 5 days. She woke up in the middle of the night wanting food, and cried horribly. I even gave in one night and gave her a piece of bread. I think it would have only lasted 3 days if I hadn't done that. But trust that she WILL eat when she is hungry. And a day or 2 without food will not kill her, would make me sick but it doesn't seem to affect them. Again GOOD LUCK! I know your pain.

Answer 3

As a parent of 3 young adults I know that this is a hard situation for a loving parent. You want your child to eat a healthy meal as well as try new things. I have found that it is more beneficial for you and the child for you to provide food that is healthy for them but one in witch you know they will eat. Try this, prepare a meal with two things you know they like and one new item. Tell them they must at least try one bite of the new before they can have the other. Generally the child will give a little resistance but not much. Remember just because you may like or dislike something, that does not mean that the child will feel the same way. Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

My son (just turned 4) is going through a similar phase -- whining "I'm tired!" and clowning around when he should be eating -- and my wife and I refuse to play into it. We tell him that he can eat or not eat as he chooses; but he's not getting up from the table until everyone else is done, and he's not getting anything else to eat later on in the evening!

Yeah, it's hard sometimes; and sometimes it would be easier to take the path of least resistance. But you've got to stay strong and stay consistent. Your child needs to learn that there are some things you do because they're fun and you and enjoy them, and there are some things you do -- like joining everyone else at the dinner table -- because they're your obligation as a part of the family. Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

I had the same problem with my daughter . I never force her to eat something . If she is tired let her go to bed . But keep her plate in the microwave or oven . My daughter would always wake up a little later and want her supper . Just reheat and serve . And if she is not eating because you removed all the junk food ( good for you ) . Time is your friend she will come to realize mommy really doesn't have any junk food and she will be ready to eat her veggies or what ever it might be .

Answer 6

not to the point it would upset things i would cut out the snacks and try changing the time the mean would be served .. and let her go to bed... without snacks Bad habits started ... Hard to break when older..... first hand experience....

Mother of 3 children cannot figure out why she prepares dinner and they will not eat... gee they come in from school and start in eating anything they can find as junk food .....So when lunch is ready they are not hungry... But when time to go to bed they start whining i am hungry....

Answer 7

At my house we have a bedtime snack(fruit cup or something like that) if my son doesn't try everything on his plate no snack. I don't force him to clear his plate because that can cause food issues later in life. Trust me I am a chubby girl who has a hard time not clearing her plate since I was forced to as a kid. Make her portions smaller if you are worried about wasting food. Or let her serve herself. But she has to put a little of everything on her plate. Forcing her to clear her plate will get you no where. The bedtime snack rule at our house works really great. More so if they see you get the snack out while they are at the table :)

Answer 8

Put her to bed then, if she is begging to sleep. No snacks or other foods though. That food she won't try? That's her next meal. OR you can serve the next meal at the normal time and it be something else and don't mention her power play again. Either worked with my daughter.

How will she know if she has a problem with it till she tries it?

Answer 9

I would make her take a few bites, and then she could go to bed. She'll eat when she's hungry. My daughter was the same way. A good thing to give her is Pediasure. It tastes like a milkshake and it'll give her the nutrients and what not that she's missing out on by not eating.

Answer 10

I would let her up from the table but if she got hungry later, offer her the same plate of food.

Don't get into a power struggle over food.....it's one you can't win. Plus, you don't want to cause more eating issues.

Also.....make sure the portions you give are small enough. My hubby sometimes dips so much it looks like it's his plate. If the servings are too big, it can be intimidating to them. SMALL servings and let her ask for more if she wants it.