Are picky eaters created by the parents? Should it be tolerated for a child to be picky?

Answer 1

absolutely it can be the parents. Keep food fun and interesting, with a couple of choices, and let the child choose. Their tastes change over time, so if they dont like something, dont make an issue out of it. Just offer it as a choice again later. If you make a big deal out of it, so will the child. Respect that children can make choices. You wouldnt want someone telling you what to eat would you? When my daughter was little, I would just put small portions of fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese, on her "special yummy tray" and let her pick what she wanted. Now, at age 12 (we are vegetarian) she will eat whatever I put on her plate. Not picky at all.

edit: Kids love to help in the kitchen. Even 2 year olds can help by placing crackers on a plate, or some other simple task. My daughter has been my constant kitchen companion since she was old enough to stand on a chair at the counter. They are more likely to eat something they participated in making.

Answer 2

I believe that picky eaters are created by the parents. I don't know about you, but when I was young- you ate what was served. There was no negotiating. As a Mom I totally understand that there are always some things your children just don't like and you work with that, but you can't let your children dictate what you are making for meals! (unless it is a birthday, or other special occasion)

Answer 3

Primarily yes. Kids learn what to eat by exposure. It can take up to 10 times that a child is introduced to a new food before the child will even try it. They need to try all colors, shapes, flavors and textures on a regular basis. They also learn by example. "If Mommy is not eating the peas, why should I?" Makes perfect sense.

Food should be an adventure to be enjoyed and explored as a family in order to establish a healthy attitude (and behavior) toward eating. There are more tips on this topic in the blog post below.

Answer 4

i am going to say no.because i like every thing under the sun except liver .my son will hardly eat anything.though for the most part he will try something once and decide after that.now my younger daughter she sees him being picky and then she will be the same way.i try to overcome that with oh hurry like it first before your brother does and that usually works cause at three being first is the best.now my 15 year old eats ever thing even things i cant stand.and he has been that way all his life .so i think its the kids not the parents .unless they are products of paren'ts that wont eat any thing either.then in their house they really arent being picky are they?that a whole different question

Answer 5

My two older children were eating the same foods we did by the time they were old enough to stuff solid food (cut in small peices) into their own mouths. Even back then, what I placed in front of them was what I placed in front of them. If they didn't want to eat it, they didn't want to eat it...beginning and end of story.

So, at an extended-family thanksgiving, I ended up in a fit of giggle's when the neice and nephew of my brother's first wife would eat only strawberries, and my own kids were eating the same food as the adults, including salads. To this day, my 13-year-old will make himself a salad for a snack.

Not to say that there weren't some foods that they didn't like...my oldest goes through periods where he won't this, then later he will but he won't eat that. My middle child currently won't eat corn off the cob. My infant daughter thinks rice cereal is too bland for her palate, but has liked everything else that has passed her lips. But I think that's a million times better than a child that won't eat half of what mom and dad offer on a daily basis.

Answer 6

Depends. I allowed my son to be picky for a while but then got tired of allowing him to tell me what he how to feed him. I thought that it was pretty silly that his dinner was completely different than ours. Finally one night I told him that he would eat what we ate or he wouldn't eat. That lasted about 2 nights. He's a great eater now. Of course there are a few things that I don't force. He HATES green beans. I let him get away with that. He HATES mushrooms. He doesn't have to eat those. If we're eating something that aren't good for his appetite, he can have mac & cheese. Parents have to know their limits too. I have 2 kids and am pregnant w/my 3rd. We have to learn when and where to choose our battles. =)

Answer 7

My children were very picky. The way I cured that was my children had to taste everything once. That mean't chew it up and swallow it, if they didn't like it, they didn't have to eat it, but they always had to taste it once, each time I made it. I never made them eat or taste anything I myself would not. After awhile they began to like a lot more things they would try and they are not afraid to try anything anymore. They are not picky eaters anymore either. Vegies were the hardest and I would find recipes that made them taste really good so they would eat them.

Answer 8

Not always. My son & his wife have always introduced ALL types of foods. One of their kids will NOT eat peas, but loves spinach. The other one will not even look at spinach but will eat a full pkg of peas. Their third kid is soooooo picky, it is not even funny. He will just not eat at times. So, picky eaters are certainly not 'created' by the parents.

Answer 9

I think it's a combination of parents and the child. Our tastes change throughout our lives. I do think it is important for parents to require their children to try different things at meal time, so that the children can experience different tastes and textures. If they don't like it then, it's fine. At least they tried it.

Answer 10

Depends to what level. I dont think kids should be allowed to dictate to their parents what they're going to be eating or not...but if its just a few preferences you know like ' i hate macaroni' but they're usually pretty good then dont worry too much.