She's 3 going on 13 ... she spit a sprout out because it had a speck of sauce from the pie on it ... i told her it wouldn't kill her and she said she would not eat it (she has no problem with the sprouts, it was the sauce).
Next thing she jumps off her chair and stops in her steps for a little while after i said that leaving the table means the end of dinner. She carries on and leaves the table. The rest of dinner goes in the bin. She comes back 3 minutes later and is rather shocked that this time her dinner IS gone (it's a daily battle).
She didn't get her after dinner treat either and she took that gracefully.
Now it's bedtime and she wants a rice cake and water. The rice cake at bed time is a comfort thing.
Not that i want to take her comfort away but does she deserve a ricecake after being an obstinate rabbit-throwing (soft-toy breed) toddler.
PS. i'm in a -enough is enough - mood and daddy wants to give her the rice cake. What do you think?
2006-12-14 08:44:54 · 13 answers · asked by Part Time Cynic 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Been there done that. My son is almost 8 and still does that because daddy or mommy gave in when he was younger. Teach the lesson now.
2006-12-14 08:48:29 · answer #1 · answered by zil28ennov 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would not give her the rice cake, she will then think she doesnt have to eat her dinner and can live with that in the evening when you take away dinner, I never had this problem with my own son, but right now I have 4 brothers under the age of 7 (3-7 yrs) and if you don't put your foot down now you will be catering (literally) to your daughter later, one night without a rice cake will not kill her or you, but it will show her that she has to show mommy and daddy more respect.
2006-12-14 09:46:13 · answer #2 · answered by orangenight19 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stand firm. Dinner time is when you all sit down together and eat the same meal (even if that's only you and her). Don't feed her separately or offer her different foods. She can sit and eat, or sit and not eat. Carry on eating yours. If she leaves the table, bring her back calmly. When you've all finished eating, she should ask if she can leave the table. If she hasn't finished, let her go to bed hungry. She will not starve herself. I know this will be difficult for a few days and it sounds strict, but it's the best way to avoid a 'fussy eater'. Don't give her the snacks before bedtime - let her know that dinner is the last meal before her breakfast tomorrow. She will get used to it within a week and the benefits will last a lifetime. You will be able to take her out for meals in restaurants, she'll eat a wide variety of foods, she'll enjoy eating at friends' houses. (I do sympathise about your husband - mine is a real soft touch with the kids and I found it very hard to stand firm when he was always giving in).
2006-12-14 09:04:50 · answer #3 · answered by goulash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you think she is hungry? If so I would give her half, otherwise she will be up in the night for food. Otherwise, I would take it away.
I heard one suggestion. Give your daughter a pile of bingo chips or pennies. Maybe 10? Everytime she gets up or you have to remind her to eat, take one away. When she has 50 or 100 or whatever number you decide, take her out for a treat, or set a prize that she would really like. A trip to the zoo or something.
This can also work with x's on a chart. An x for every bad behavior. If more than 5 or 10 at the end of the week, no prize.
2006-12-14 08:50:27 · answer #4 · answered by Nicole M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely do not give her the rice cake - you're just rewarding her for bad behaviour. My son has gone through this a few times. When he refuses dinner, we save it for him and when he asks for food or treats later on, he gets the dinner he wouldn't eat before. If he still doesn't want that, then he gets nothing til the next morning. By caving in you'll just teach her that she can get whatever she wants provided she makes enough noise about it...
2006-12-14 09:12:53 · answer #5 · answered by chicchick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that she should have the rice cake...Feel blessed your kid even eats a rice cake.
I mean she is only three and sometimes concepts they just dont get. Maybe next time she will know not to do it.
But trust me if you don't give her the rice cake she will throw a fit and your enough is enough mood will turn to a break down. She is a toddler she isn't going to do this every day...and seh already didn't get her snack so you might as well do it.
Not giving it to her isn't going to teach her to eat. And all kids go through phases where they don't want to eat. Don't force it.
2006-12-14 09:05:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh no. Don't give in. You make the rules and the rules are--you act up, there are consequences. Make sure the denial of rice cake is tied to the behavior in the child's mind.
2006-12-14 08:49:24 · answer #7 · answered by ladygirl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just tell her that she doesnt deserve a rice cake and if she doesn't behave next time she will have to go to bed without
2006-12-14 08:49:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
At the end of the day she is only a child so give her the rice cake?
I would!
2006-12-14 08:54:39 · answer #9 · answered by Deep Throat 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
hello rodger want some cream puffs with that kitten stew?
2006-12-14 08:46:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋