Won't eat a meal at home...

[Carty76]

Getting seriously disheartened by my 2 year olds eating habits. Over the past year her eating has been very hot and miss, mostly miss. The saving grace was she ate a tiny bit at nursery which over the past couple of weeks has gotten a lot better. The problem however is at home. I honestly think she hasn't eaten a full meal at home for about a year. I spend hours cooking good stuff for her just to tell me it's not nice!!! Over this weekend she hasn't eaten one meal in 4 days. It's driving me insane!!!!! Has anyone experienced the same thing? If so any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

[BBQueen]

My technique for any type of eating frustration has been to plonk small amounts of food in front of the children and go and do the something else (basically ignore the food). If they don't eat it, I remove the food without comment and give them something else to do for a while. I try and avoid/minimise snacks when DC are going through a fussy phase to make sure they're actually hungry at mealtimes.

[BBQueen]

Should have added my sympathies, it really is frustrating but it's a phase they all go through!

[Carty76]

I know :-( I do the completely ignoring what she eats and show no reaction at all. The snacking thing is hard, I keep it to the bare minimum I can but it's really hard. Really, really hoping it passes soon. It's a phase that's only lasted a year

[suspiciousofgoldfish]

I have no idea whether this is good advice, but when my 2yo is going through a fussy phase I cook whatever I want him to eat and then sit down at the table as if it's for me.

I don't ask if he wants any, I just start eating it myself and he invariably comes over and wants it.

Someone may be along shortly to tell me that I am creating bad eating habits but it works like a charm
Good luck!

[Carty76]

I don't think it's teaching bad habits as I've done it . She went to nursery today and quelle surprise, she ate everything that was out in front of her. Drives me bonkers!!!!

[suspiciousofgoldfish]

I know what you mean, both of mine are "little angels, an absolute joy!" At the CMs and ILS.

It's only with us mugs who do all the hard work that they can be little toads.

I wish I hadn't believed being a mum would basically follow the plot line of a Thompson holiday ad.