Monday, January 10, 2011

Monday's Mothering Forum

I have a picky eater. A stinker of a picky eater. If we let him, Trevan would sit at the kitchen table for two hours eating dinner! It is really annoying. He doesn't like anything except cereal or chicken nuggets and french fries. For a mother that is a fairly decent cook (if I might say so myself) it is VERY bothersome that my son does not enjoy my food!

We've tried setting a timer, if he doesn't want to eat it for dinner - we make him eat it for breakfast, or he won't get dessert if he doesn't eat.

Now, I'm not asking him to lick his plate clean, we have a rule that you have to try at least one bite of everything on your plate. But, I know he hates sweet potatoes; he literally gags when he has one bite, so I don't make him try those anymore.

What really bothers me is all the whining headed to the table and while sitting at the table. "I don't like that." "That's yucky." "I don't want to eat that." Occassionally, Mallary follows suit just because she hears him say that stuff. But, overall, she is a much better eater than Trevan.

It is really driving us crazy, and ruins dinnertime for me.

Do you have picky eaters? What do you do? How do you deal with it? Any suggestions for me? Please share!!!!!


Check out my own chicken nuggets dinner HERE

4 comments:

Heather said...

Within the last year or so we started cracking down on the whining and rudeness over the food choices. Simply, the offender has to go to her room until she is ready to come back and be polite. Helped A LOT, and the results were quick. This was with S and K, who really aren't that picky, compared to some kids, but still would complain a lot or use words like "gross." So now they are learning to keep their mouths closed! Trevan is old enough for that - Mallary probably not.

Now Marina is dreadfully picky, and we are now starting the "you must eat one bite of everything" before dessert. But I don't always serve dessert. I worry about her health. It's always been a challenge with her ever since baby food. Samuel is shaping up to be a picky eater, also, to my chagrin.

Good luck!

Ming said...

I don't have personal advice but I was discussing this with my SIL over the holidays who has picky eaters and she is LOVING the results of implementing things she learned from this book, "Child of Mine." So you could check it out.

Holly said...

Heather - I'm totally going to do that. Mallary is definitely old enough! but, she really isn't the repeat offender, it's Trevan!!!!! Ugh! We threaten to send him to bed, but your is a better option. Thanks.

Mindy- Thanks for the tip!

Michelle said...

No good advice. BUT, I distinctly remember Trevan telling me how great a cook you are. Let it be known, for the record, that he told your friend that you are a great cook! :) Good luck. I was just like him, I'm afraid. My mom cooked all sorts of things and I didn't grow out of my pickiness till I got married. I know, not a good story to share :).