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Original poster

Boy cannot live by fried rice and 'pizza hut' alone.

26 replies

Isitweekendyet · 15/05/2019 18:36

For nearly the past month all my son is happily eating is vegetable fried rice (occasionally with sauce on) and make your own salad bar - as he calls it Pizza Hut - with crispy bacon bits.

He's been picky-ish no mushrooms, funny with tomatoes etc but nothing like this. All I have found that works is if we play restaurant where I set the table with metal rice bowls and put a napkin over him and theatrically wait on him.

I also have to sing Bella Notte to him like Lady and the Tramp, he's stone deaf so God knows how this adds to the ambience, but if I just sign and refuse to sing it's game over, to be fair the deafness is most likely on his side because I've the voice of an pained cat.

Please God someone give me some suggestions before I buy a violin to serenade him.

We've tried all the family at the table.
We've tried just him at the table.
We've tried getting him to help.
We've tried letting him leave it - but he didn't eat for a full day.
We've tried eating in front of the telly.
We've tried picnic in the garden.

He just isn't interested in food at all and I'm getting a bit worried because I can't sustain bella notte until he's sixteen.

OP posts:
Bigearringsbigsmile · 15/05/2019 18:38

how old is he????????????

IWantMyHatBack · 15/05/2019 18:39

How old?

slipperywhensparticus · 15/05/2019 18:40

Play the song on your phone?

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General food
Original poster
Isitweekendyet · 15/05/2019 18:40

He was three last month

OP posts:
Original poster
Isitweekendyet · 15/05/2019 18:41

Tried the phone, it's the theatrics he's into.

OP posts:
OldUnit · 15/05/2019 18:41

Err.....what???

This is 'Sistine Screamer' quality.

Middledistancerunner · 15/05/2019 18:44

I dunno, but I’m very impressed at your level of parenting. Have some Gin, you’re gonna need it to keep up that energy for the next 13 years.

RosaWaiting · 15/05/2019 18:48

if it's any consolation, I was that child till I was about 6

no one sang Grin

but I didn't seem to even have a hunger switch, it was bizarre. My parents panicked. I could have lived on nothing but reading books for days.

I think I grew out of it after discovering chocolate biscuits. Sorry if that doesn't help but you will eventually find yourself with a person who eats a reasonably balanced diet.

oh, I did always like fruit.

Original poster
Isitweekendyet · 15/05/2019 18:52

I'd just like to clarify buying a violin and keeping this up for an elongated period of time was actually a joke. I've realised reading through I sound like 'that' parent.

I really wasn't bothered for the first ten days but it's gone on so long I just don't know what to do. The singing has only developed in the last week, and the only thing that has consistently worked. Trust me I feel as much of a pillock as I sound.

OP posts:
Original poster
Isitweekendyet · 15/05/2019 18:54

Thank you Rosa, DH keeps telling me he'll grow out of it but until then he seems to be sustaining himself on fresh air.

I've tried him with all of his favourites, toast, biscuits, crisps, cereals etc. but he's just not into it, he'll have a bite or two and then say he's full.

I feel this is something I'm just having to ride out.

OP posts:
DizzyPigeon · 15/05/2019 18:55

Tbf, I could live on fried rice.

If he's deaf, can't you switch on a song on your phone and mine?

Livedandlearned · 15/05/2019 18:56

He sounds cute

stucknoue · 15/05/2019 18:56

At that age they are picky! I can remember waiting for my dh to come home from a 3 day business trip (I didn't drive) and sending him to fetch chicken nuggets happy meal because dd hadn't eaten since he had left (she had been drinking milk and carnation instant breakfast - a fortified milkshake) it was around the time we got her autism diagnosis. She ate the happy meal! She was so hard to feed, veggie fried rice seems healthy! The good news is by 6 or 7 I managed to get her eating proper meals if somewhat selective.

hidinginthenightgarden · 15/05/2019 18:58

Have you tried just cooking the meal and serving it at the table like a waiter from dish to plate with just the serving and bib theatrics.
Refuse the song saying your voice is sore and that you will sing when it is better. Hopefully he will forget after a few days?

MustardScreams · 15/05/2019 19:00

Oh op this has made me laugh so much. He sounds adorable, if a little testing.

Dd is going through a ridiculously picky phase at the moment and it’s driving me slightly wonky. I just put a selection of food on her plate and ignore and eat mine. She’ll fuss but eventually have a few mouthfuls. Thankfully she’s at nursery and eats plenty there so I’m not too worried. I think riding it out is your best bet. Perhaps with less theatre!

RosaWaiting · 15/05/2019 19:01

OP "I've tried him with all of his favourites, toast, biscuits, crisps, cereals etc. but he's just not into it, he'll have a bite or two and then say he's full."

yes, you've got the me. My parents were desperately anxious about it. I do remember them talking to some parents at school - well I wasn't there but my older sister was - and she said they were somewhat reassured to hear that others had kids who were running around all day and would only eat a bag of crisps.

all I can say is, what I woudn't give to have zero appetite now Grin

I obviously grew out of it - though it was good, especially in those days, that they would say to me "you've got to have a cup of water or you will be ill".

also, when I started to go to friend's houses, the "being polite" thing meant I tried other new foods and I'd go home saying to my folks "I tried this and I liked it" and then they would buy it.

I just wasn't a very hungry child. Dunno why. I was happy and perky, your DS sounds like he is too? I'm sorry, it's crap to say "try to not to worry too much" but I can only say, my mum is a mum and she would say that! Flowers

Original poster
Isitweekendyet · 15/05/2019 19:12

You've all settled my worries, thank you! All my friends with kids are younger and he's the first to be in such a phase so I'm going to tell him no more lady and the tramp, we'll do it once a week.

I always used to say 'my kids won't ever be picky eaters, I won't let them,' the shit you say before you're, a mum eh!

I'm glad I've cheered some of you up, you should join us for tea time, my rendition is a laugh a minute and he sways as I sing so we're like a match made in hell Grin

I can also confirm he is indeed cute, it's how he gets away with it. He's also a stubborn little bugger so it's his way or the highway!

OP posts:
TheCrowFromBelow · 15/05/2019 19:25

He sounds an absolute cracker. Love that he’s got you serenading him Grin
Honestly there are worse things he could be living on. My brother went through a stage of just spaghetti and ketchup. He’s 37 and eats pretty much everything now.

underneaththeash · 15/05/2019 19:33

They grow out of it, keep presenting the meals (maybe without the faff around it) and don't give a unhealthy alternative, he'll get over it in a few months/years.

MumUndone · 15/05/2019 19:35

This is hilarious (sorry)! I think just offer him a variety of healthyish food and let him have what he wants. Don't pressure him or show you're anxious as it'll turn into a battle of wills. Vegetable rice and salad is pretty healthy! Don't worry too much.

NuffSaidSam · 15/05/2019 20:05

If he'll have a few bites here and there maybe try lots of snack/small meals for a while.

Is he underweight?

YouSayPotatoesISayVodka · 15/05/2019 20:22

He sounds adorable! My son goes through phases of not eating much (he has ASD) and it is scary especially the early days before I learnt he’d snap himself out of it. I found the best thing to do was to indulge the healthier and more filling things he’d eat (raw carrots has been one- whole bloody thing, loads and loads of them) and when he did ask for something different get it him but with minimal fuss. Probably not much help. Hope he cuts you some slack soon.

I can’t decide whether I’m relieved or disappointed mine have never thought to get me to serenade them at dinner Grin

Sexnotgender · 15/05/2019 20:25

I’ve got no advice but your thread has cheered me right upGrin

RedToothBrush · 15/05/2019 20:29

DS lives on mainly chicken and rice and pizza. And toast. With peanut butter on.

And not a lot else.

He's 4.

He does seem to be slowly getting better; we've moved onto pasta and sauce recently.

He screams at the sight of a vegetable.

I'm resigned to it.

managedmis · 15/05/2019 20:53

Actually from pizza hut, the restaurant?

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