My just-turned-five year old niece is going through a 'picky eater' phase. Although it's against my principles, I'm willing to accommodate the 'no sauce on the noodles' and 'no milk on the cereal' requests, but sometimes a food she liked at breakfast, she'll decide she hates at lunch, and so on. The bigger problem here is that she's got in a habit lately of 'accidentally' dropping food off the table, or worse- outright flinging it! In the past week there have been incidents involving a waffle, a cup of cranberry juice which luckily had a lid on it, and sliced peaches. How should I respond to this? Her parents are very very patient, and I'm not so much.
2006-11-01 07:38:29 · 5 answers · asked by BigMick71 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Note: If she were my child, I know what I'd do, but regarding the picky eating issue I really don't want to risk making it worse by being overly punitive. I've been putting her on the naughty chair when she flings things. However, I'm trying to figure out if there's a pro-active way to 'nip it in the bud' so to speak.
2006-11-02 08:12:38 · update #1
Well I'd be very firm and not allow it. If she doesn't want the food, remove it and do something else otherwise it becomes a battle of wits and just a game for her.
Don't get mad, stay calm.
2006-11-01 07:51:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 picky eaters, and I know how hard it can be, but there is no excuse for her to be throwing the food. I think it is good for you to accommodate the "no sauce on the noodles" type of things, I don't think a child should be forced to eat something you know they don't like, but if she liked it at breakfast, then she can't possibly hate it at lunch. I would put her in time out for the food throwing. I would also fix her her meal and give her a set time to eat it and if she doesn't then lunch is over she can wait for the next meal if she's hungry.Maybe her parents let her get away with throwing her food, but she has to learn that you have rules at your house and she has to follow them. Good luck.
2006-11-01 15:59:06 · answer #2 · answered by kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most often meal time battles are over control and this is one area where she actually does have some control.
I would suggest that when she throws or drops food or drinks that she help clean it up.
As to being a picky eater there are several ways to deal with this-------
You can ask her what she wants
you can have a no- thank you bite rule
you could even allow her to help prepare the meal or set the table.
you can even offer her a choice Of two things like you can have meatloaf or you can have hamburger which one would you like.,
If this child is angry at being left at your house you can acknowledge her feelings and explain that you have rules at your house that are different than at her house.
2006-11-01 15:53:36 · answer #3 · answered by CAT 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are in your home then they(and in turn they need to teach her) need to respect your home. It not should not your responsibility to teach her how to behave(especially at someone else's home). Her parents need to get her under control AND clean up the mess. Better yet your niece needs to be cleaning up the mess!
2006-11-01 15:57:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what get flung is whats for dinner tommorrow. yum!
2006-11-01 16:44:25 · answer #5 · answered by nobudE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋