My 4 year old just threw a tantrum over food as I put food in the oven

[WhiteCatRedCollar]

Been up since 6am. She’s just 4 so technically her first school holidays.

She ate at 6am. I’ve been offering snacks (fruit, toast, crumpets) at regular intervals since she finished breakfast. Never accepted.

Then just as I’m putting food in the oven “Now I want a banana, I’m really hungry”. Told her she can wait until after she’d eaten (we have our main meal at lunchtime and a smaller meal of sandwiches etc at about 3pm before bed at 6.30 – it just works for us). Cue her throwing herself on the floor screaming she’s starving and I never give her food. She keeps trying to get her step stool thing to reach the fruit bowl in the kitchen but I keep stopping her.

Thank the lord I’m working tomorrow and she’s still in childcare 3 days a week until the week before she starts school (her private Nursery changes it’s preschool to “holiday club” for those going off to school in September for the 6 weeks)

How’s your summer going?

My ds has a tantrum when we were at a food festival cause he was hungry! He could have had anything!!

If she hasn’t started school yet it’s not her first school holiday.

How long will it take to cook? If it’s going to be a while would half a banana really have hurt?

I personally think ‘food’ Is the worst part about having kids.

Honestly, it could be worse. My twin boys are constantly hungry. They’re also non verbal. Cue many massive tantrums - and if you manage to establish its because they’re hungry (mainly because they’re pulling you off the sofa and pushing you to the kitchen) you then have to try and figure out what they actually want.

Oh op
Give her the banana
Pick your battles
And a bit of fruit before lunch for such a young one really isn’t one of them

I don’t know about you but when I’m hungry and prepping lunch I’ll often have a nibble before serving! Just takes the edge off

We always do raw carrots and cucumber before meals if people are hungry - have done since they were 2 - are 8 and 10 now, it still works. They get to think they are eating something but aren't too full for a meal - definitely about the only thing I think I have right in the fun world of parenting.

Think about the mixed messages though. You say you have been offering her food all morning then when she asks for something you say no. To a 4 year old that just doesn’t make sense!

She had a tantrum because she's WAY overly hungry. I really don't understand why you wouldn't let her have a banana.

How long is it until food is ready? She's 4 and will totally pass the point of hunger rage. A gap of 6 hours between food at that age is really long. My 4 year old had a small breakfast at 9 (only ever eats about 6 spoonfuls) and then has had fruit and a small packet of biscuits since then. We haven't had lunch yet.

I'm assuming you are not giving her the banana as she will then not eat the food that you are about to cook, if this is the case, completely understandable as bananas are quite filling.

Could you not have maybe offered 1/4 to keep her going or some cucumber

Think about the mixed messages though. You say you have been offering her food all morning then when she asks for something you say no. To a 4 year old that just doesn’t make sense!

Nonsense. She didn’t feel like it then. She’s hungry now
Is that really so different from adults?

Make the banana part of lunch. Like a starter! So she has to sit at the table and eat it, and then she can read or drawer whilst wait for main course

6am to now is a long time without food is a long time for an adult let alone a little one. He's only asking for a banana not a Mars bar!

She!

That my point lovemenorca

Her mum has been pushing her to eat all morning when she wasn’t hungry and now she is hungry her mum is saying no. Doesn’t make sense for an adult let alone a 4 year old!

Maybe introduce a snack between 6am and 11am. About 9ish? It could just be some crackers and fruit/nuts etc

Sorry, to add, then if she says she’s hungry you know for absolute sure that it’s attitude that’s your problem, not real hunger!

I don't get why you wouldn't just let her have a banana.

Did she last eat a 3pm yesterday?

I’d just give her the banana. I doubt it will fill her up

Sorry read Op again. So she are at 6am. Prior to that was it 3pm yesterday?

And even if it does fill her up.... it’s a banana! There are worse foods

Just give her the banana. What difference does it make?
My DD, autistic with a learning disability, has been rejecting all offers of food and drink since we went on holiday 2 days ago. So when she finally asks for something, I give it to her!

Just give her the banana. You can't control her hunger. It's not like she's asking for a family bag of Dorito's or 3 Krispy Kremes. It's very healthy for children to learn to eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full and also to learn to recognise their own appetite.

3 p.m. is extremely early for her final meal of the day, particularly if she's recently had lunch. It may help to space her meals out more - you're going to have to make the evening meal later once she starts school anyway.

Oh, and count yourself lucky you can get holiday childcare so easily. Try working in the holidays when you have a child who requires full-time 1-1 support.

Sorry - am a bit grumpy because we’re away on holiday and it’s been a nightmare so far.