i need advice on what to do about my 8 year old it takes him an hour to eat toast and he also hides food?

Question

it is really worring me as my younger son eats fine

Answer 1

my son is also a nightmare with food but i find ignoring him works best just simply don't mention you have found any food that he has hidden, you usually find that kids do this for attention whether it is negative or not

Answer 2

So far I agree with the first three answers to your question and would add that you should avoid making food too much of an issue, or using it as a punishment and reward system. I am not sure I'd take the toast from him until he has pretty much stopped actually eating it though - he may not be deliberately trying to annoy you. Is your other son much younger? Your eldest might be trying to "revert to babyhood" to get your attention back. If you think this might be the case, remember to praise him for anything you can that relates to his growing up, being such a helpful boy. Maybe you could ask him to help you in some way with the younger one, and tell him how great he is, what a big help he is and how much harder it would be to manage without his help.

Answer 3

My daughter, now aged 10, suddenly went slow and changed what she would and would not eat. She is a lot better these days though fortunately.
Her sister and brother (7 and 5) are both a bit silly as well over food. They go through phases.
Mine do not hide food, they wait till I am not looking and accidentally drop it on the floor.
If they refuse a food they used to eat I offer an alternative next time.
Years back my health visitor said they are highly unlikely to starve themselves to death so try not to fuss too much over it.

Answer 4

Just check to see hes not drinking lots of fluids like milk as that puts them off their food. Try him out on half a toasted raisin bagel and let him know its a special food just for him.
Be aware, Its quite normal for kids to have trouble eating so the most important thing is not to make him feel there is something wrong as that makes things worse.
Get him some kids multi-vit as well so that way you know he is getting enough vitamins.

Answer 5

Hi there,
maybe your 8 year old does not like toast...why does he hide food?...so he can eat it later?...or so he doesn't have to eat it at all...if he is just not hungry don't worry about it...children will not starve themselves to death...they will eat when they are hungry...try feeding him something else besides toast...if he's hoarding food then he will probably need a counsellor to find out why...good luck

Answer 6

perhaps he wants some one on one positive attention? He might be jealous of his younger brother for some reason.
Maybe he's being bullied at school?
Some times issues about food are about control and wanting to be in control. If that is the case let him have a little control but ultimately let him know who is boss.
I hope you find the answer you need.

Answer 7

Keep in mind that YOU are the parent, not him. Set him at a seperate table from you and make him sit there til his food is gone. My daughter is 4 and refuses veggies. I make her sit there til they are gone. If he throws food on the floor, make him eat it anyways. (that sounds bad, but just make sure the floor is clean before he begins eating.) As soom as he realizes that you won't bend, he'll start eating right and in a timely manner.

Answer 8

If he is playing around and doing it on purpose give him a time limit and when time is up clear the table. Don't worry he won't starve he'll eventually get the point and start eating right.

Answer 9

Give him an a time that u want him to finish it and take him to the doctors my brother does this

Answer 10

see your GP.. talk to school nurse, try not to make too big an issue out of it in front of him at this stage as it may make matters worse but do speak to some one with medical knowledge