by Lois Breneman
Mealtimes can be a power struggle for parents and children. The other power struggles that young children often choose are naps/bedtimes, potty training and clothing. But let’s go back to the mealtime power struggle. Try giving your child a very small helping of each food at mealtime with the option to have more if he is still hungry. For example, if you are serving peas, give your child only three peas at first. This may cause him to want more.
If your child refuses to finish his meal, before he is excused from the table, be sure to calmly tell him that he won’t be allowed any snacks before the next meal. The next time he eats will be at the next mealtime (tell him either "breakfast, lunch or dinner"). Then follow through with your promise. He will survive, though he may do all he can to make you think that he will starve to death. Be assured that he will not die if he misses a meal. Calmly remind him that you just gave him a good meal and he refused to eat it, but that he will be able to eat at the next meal. When the next mealtime comes, remind him of the consequences if he chooses not to eat the good food provided.
At the table “Yuk” or “Yucky” are not words that your children should be allowed to describe the food served. This is very disrespectful of the one who prepared the meal! Both parents need to be in agreement on how they will handle mealtime struggles, so this is something to discuss before children (BC). If you already have children, it is never too late to start to do what is right. There is always hope!
If good nutritious food is served at mealtimes, and nutritious snacks are minimal (only when the previous meals are eaten), your child’s eating habits will most likely improve. The article above offers excellent guidelines to follow. When our children were growing up, we tried to follow most of them, though we could have done much better. I believe they call that “hind sight!”
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