Last night, my 3.5 year old decided that he didn't want to eat his applesauce (which he's had before and we know he likes), so he was told that he wouldn't get anything else to eat until he finished it. So for breakfast we put it in front of him again, and he refused to eat it. Lunch same thing. Finally about 3 this afternoon he decided to eat it (I guess he was pretty hungry at that point).
So my question is, if you've done the old "if he gets hungry enough he'll eat it" with your kids how long did it take for them to eat it?
2007-03-26 14:38:08 · 8 answers · asked by Heather Y 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Sheesh, we're not horrible parents. He'd had a sandwich with his dinner last night. And he was given milk to drink. The applesauce was put back into the refrigerator in a sealed container between meals. I'm not going to let my child decide that he doesn't have to eat fruits and vegetables because he doesn't *want* to--and I'm certainly not going to stop buying them because he's being picky.
2007-03-26 15:16:46 · update #1
A trick that has worked really well with my son, was to give him a portion of the less preferred item and then the item he likes. For example, if you want the PB & J, you have to eat the beans. It took a few times, but once he caught on, I use it all the time. He eats his veggies first then he gets his meat and other food items. I only give him a small amount of each and when he ask for more of a favorite item, he has to have more of the veggies or fruits. This way he has a choice, your not giving in and he learns to beleive what your say. I make the veggies first, and he eats them, while I finish preparing the meal. This way, he is out of my hair and ready to eat nicely without battles, because he only has what he wants left to eat.
2007-03-26 15:31:54 · answer #1 · answered by ma2snoopy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son use to have the worst tantrums at breakfast,lunch and dinner. Hard to keep a schedule with him. But he is going to be 4 and when he doesnt want to eat what i prepare him , i leave it in the table and when i least expect it he is telling me he wants it and to heat it up etc... Sometimes he doesnt want to eat at dinning table ,so i do the same. I just walk away. On the 3rd attempt ,he has eaten the food. And if he is not hungry he wont eat it and ask for it later.
2007-03-26 21:51:12 · answer #2 · answered by mom_princess77 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
At that age he is testing his independence, and your patience. Try not to make a big deal out of eating one specific thing, because he is going to use eating to get attention, even though it is negative attention, to him it is still attention. Then you will have a super mess on your hands. My doctor told me the best advise when my son went through the "I don't want it" phase and that was to just put some healthy snacks on the bottom shelf of the fridge where he can reach them when he wants them, and allow him to get them himself! It worked great and put an end to the dinner time drama.
2007-03-26 21:55:54 · answer #3 · answered by suequek 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never put "old" food in front of my daughter to eat. If she didn't eat a particular item that was on her plate that I was aware she liked it was fine with me. I just never got that item again. I wouldn't hold it over until the next meal...yuck. If she didn't eat at all she would be sent to bed hungry and I'd feed her a regular breakfast next morning, not save the food from dinner, that is just disghusting to me and doesn't teach them anything really.
2007-03-26 21:54:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
I use the reverse physiology trick. I put the food on the spoon and say "you cant eat mommys food, its allll mine" then i turn my head when i turn back around its gone and i say "oh no you ate mommys food" and he laughs. I try to make it fun for him to do what he is suppose to do. When you say you have to do this or something to that degree they will not do it just to show their will power. :) Best wishes!
2007-03-26 21:45:07 · answer #5 · answered by J&A 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I haven't had to do this with my kiddo, but I remember my parents doing it to me..I went a whole day without eating, and finally they gave in. *evil laugh*
It's good that you stick to your word..but making the kid go all day without eating seems kinda crappy.
To each their own, I guess.
2007-03-26 21:46:24 · answer #6 · answered by }{PurpleLipz}{ 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
instead of keeping food from him.. give him 2 choices to pick from then he wont be hungry for so long!
2007-03-26 21:58:47 · answer #7 · answered by pink9364 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think that is horrible parenting maybe he just didn't want applesauce you like stuff but don't always want it they have minds of there own and know what they want at this age shame on you
2007-03-26 21:48:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 7⤋