When an almost 4-year-old refuses point blank to eat their dinner...

[Scootergrrrl]

And then has a screaming tantrum about it, do they get anything else or do you run the risk of them waking up hungry in the night?
Quick - advise me!

[McDreamy]

I would leave her/him and run the risk. WHenever DD has done this she has never woken up. Could offer a bowl of cereal just before bed if you don't want to take the risk?

[Scootergrrrl]

Maybe I could send her out on the training area to find Daddy and his soldiers and get her out of my hair??

[bluejelly]

agree, don't react, don't make a fuss, don't give them any emotional response at all ( which is what they are seeking)
Say 'oh well you can't be hungry' and take food away

Then give cereal before bed if necessary

All kids have their off days-- he may be coming down with a cold

[McDreamy]

lol oh dear is it that bad tonight? I know the feeling. I'm feeling a bit rough tonight, DH at home in the UK so on my own and DD doing my head in too! She so needs to go to school!!

[NotQuiteCockney]

I find this is often the precursor to a tummy bug. I don't think offering a bit of toast or cereal or something is necessarily bad.

[Scootergrrrl]

I'm cross because I asked her what she wanted, she said shephers pie, we went to the shop, bought the ingredients, made the bloody thing and then she wouldn't even taste it. Grrrrrrr.........

[NotQuiteCockney]

That is very frustrating and annoying.

But surely you've had the experience of being funny with food, and being sure you wanted X, but then once X was in front of you, you couldn't stand the thought?

It's really a bad idea to get into a battle with her about this, it just never helps.

[bluejelly]

I think the mistake was asking her what she wanted... IME if you give kids too much choice it freaks them out!
And makes them more likely to act up
I would take away the choice, offer food, if she doesn't want it don't react at all. The more you react, the more of a deal it becomes and the more mileage she will get out of making a fuss.

Hope today is better

[Nemo2007]

nothing else unless they havent eaten all dya then I offer fruit. Same applies to my 20m old.

[Wolfgirl]

ahhhh, you need the Charlie and Lola book, I will never ever eat a tomato!

I managed to get cabbage down my 3 (nearly 4 year old) this weekend. How cools that. they were green wriggly skipping ropes, oh no, not cabbage, green wriggly skipping ropes.

couldnt think of what to call his roast beef...but Im learning.

HTH