Help with fussy eaters

[Nemo57]

Hi I need some help in regards to my DSS. Partner and I have recently moved in together and I've noticed all he will eat is chips, bread, chicken nuggets and sausages. So far it is chicken nuggets and chips every night for dinner when he's here. I've tried making him simpler things to start I. E mash potato saying it's basically mashed chips. He just starts crying. Most he wil do is pole things with a fork and then just breaks down. He may put like a pinprick on the fork but has never even tasted it but cries saying he doesn't like it. His mum has also confirmed he will not eat for her. I asked him if he would even like beans on toast or something different before we go too adventurous he said he doesn't like beans I asked if he's tried them and he said no. I've also tried soups, roast chicken etc but nothing he just sits crying over the plate and won't speak. It's starting to annoy DP but he is the one who for years has just given him chips and nuggets without even realising. It's obviously difficult in this situation to hide or disguise food. What would you do? Say we have no chips etc and literally don't give in to cooking them? The child is 6 btw

[OverTheRainbow88]

I wouldn’t rock the boat for now. Let him get settled and feel safe in new house before you make any major changes

[OrangeGinLemonFanta]

I know you're coming from a well meaning place but look at it from his perspective. Dad has just moved in with another woman who is not his mother, and she is trying to change what he has been doing for years. Massive changes. Horribly distressing for him. Back off and let his parents deal with it.

[Oxyiz]

I would feed him what he trusted and make him feel like he was safe at your home. That's what I'd do.

Is it just your DP who's annoyed? You sound pretty cross about it too.

[Veterinari]

Give him time to settle as pp have said but over time it's important that you all model eating together and encourage him to try a range of foods.

Your DP is the one that's created this issue so he needs to take the lead in solving it - he could cook with his DS, encourage him to try what he's made, start growing simple salad veg or go to a 'pick your own' or even let him choose things at the supermarket to try. Make it fun and collaborative, but importantly make sure it comes from Dad, not from you.

In the longterm a diet of fried potatoes and processed meat will lead to health problems, but it's a situation that your DSS parents have created and they need to correct it by working together and encouraging him. Not by blaming him for his behaviour when they've encouraged it.

[Nemo57]

@Oxyiz no I'm not annoyed by it but DP has asked me to help him handle it. I've known him since he was 3 so I'm not a complete stranger and me and DP moved in together 6 months now. I just thought if I could try but it's not something I'd push. I don't like DP approach though of shouting at him it makes me uneasy. @Veterinari that's a good idea I do the shopping by myself but DP could just take him one day for a walk around show him the different items. It's just something to think of long term I know it's not my place to try and change this though.