Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Feel like a horrible mummy because my children aren't fussy

153 replies

JumpRope · 28/09/2014 14:35

Particularly my son, he only doesn't like raw tomatoes - that's basically it.

Dd started being a bit fussy, but she's grown out of it fast - she's 3 now.

When I meet mums of fussy eaters, they seem to pay so much more attention to their child's like and dislikes and opinions. Is it that bad to be a fussy eater? I know it can be inconvenient.

Is it better to not give them an option? Am I a dragon? Arrrr

OP posts:
IShallCallYouSquishy · 28/09/2014 20:04

Doesn't eat raw tomato? Failure as a mother if you ask me. My DS is only 7 months and loves them. And anything else that gets flung at him at meal times.

DD on the other hand... Unless it looks, smells and tastes like a cheese sandwich, then she's not interested Smile

TheBatteriesHaveRunOut · 28/09/2014 20:07

Where is JumpRope, has she WalkedPlank?

jezzapaxmanslovechild · 28/09/2014 20:10

How Bizarre! I wouldn't describe either of my children as fussy eaters as such, although they both share a suspicion of sauces other than gravy that come with food...
I do remember when ds2 was crawling -at the time he had a profound dislike of owt green and veggie. But equally we lived in a small cottage with lots of erm wildlife - I would often have to race over to retrieve a spider or woodlouse from his gob.
He actually used to hunt them. You could watch him. He'd spy his prey, crouch, hoof off after it, and if you weren't quick enough you'd be pulling legs out of his mouth.

One day, purely in the interests of research, I tied a piece of broccoli to some string and dragged it across the carpet - sure enough, he paused, got it in sight, hunkered down, crawled after it, crammed it in his mouth - then gobbed it out - go figure... Insects 1 - vegetables 0.
I think it's the luck of the draw personally.

burgatroyd · 28/09/2014 20:20

Stealth boast Bike

MyFairyKing · 28/09/2014 20:33

Well done, a stealth boast and sly dig at other parents in one go! Gold star for you, mummy. Grin

DeWee · 28/09/2014 21:18

I wouldn't bother trying to make it a stealth boast next time. People are pretty good at seeing through such obvious ones. Just try "AIBU to think I am a brilliant parent because my dc aren't fussy and obviously any child ithat is fussy is entirely down to bad parenting."

And it may come back to bite you anyway. My totally non-fussy toddler-she really ate everything you gave her in whatever quantity now aged 13yo has about 5 things she eats without complaining.
My fussy toddler, now also approaching her teens, will eat everything you offer her.
Nought to do with parenting.

Workytypestuff · 28/09/2014 21:39

Get over yourself! Hmm

Nanny0gg · 28/09/2014 21:47

I never grew out of being "fussy". My dad is still convinced that one day I will start to like onions (I'm 34, it ain't gonna happen) I'm quite squeamish, unexpected textures or weird bits in my food make me feel sick, textures I don't like make me feel sick (big lumps of onion boak) and that's just the way I am. As far as I'm concerned it's just innate in me so meh.

Me too, except I do like onions.

Have to say though, I did start eating cheese when I hit 50 so there is hope for you yet!

SaucyJack · 28/09/2014 21:59

I do know what you mean actually OP.

DD2 would love to be a fussy eater. Sadly for her I don't really give a stuff if she goes to bed hungry or not.

ithoughtofitfirst · 28/09/2014 21:59

Are there any mums here with sometimes fussy eaters? Or is that not a thing OP? Just ..come rain or shine, sickness or health, cafe or dinner table your child eats everything ...with the exception of RAW TOMATOES.

Right. Ok. Mhm. Sounds good.

rookiemater · 28/09/2014 22:20

Ooh I know, I know.

Ds is a good sleeper, always has been, I think it's because of random chance I'm such a jolly good mum. I hear about these other parents who are up in the down in the night trying to get their DCs to sleep and I do wonder if perhaps I don't love DS as much as those other parents as I just put him down and give him one jolly good snuggle, and pop there he is off to sleep for at least 8 hrs a night.

OddFodd · 28/09/2014 23:06

This thread is now positively groaning under the weight of the smug parenting. It's not even stealth anymore - it's out and proud.

I'm hopeful it will have disappeared up its own fundament by the morning

skylark2 · 28/09/2014 23:16

My kids weren't fussy at 3 either.

Not that they're particularly fussy now, but what a kid will eat at 3 bears no resemblence to what they will eat at 10.

hazeyjane · 29/09/2014 06:28

Saucy, as I say there are fussy eaters and there are fussy eaters. Please don't assume all children are the same.

cansu · 29/09/2014 06:47

Clearly you should congratulate yourself whilst all of us with fussy children have been weak and pathetic. Ah well

Sallystyle · 29/09/2014 07:40

I didn't either Saucy.

I have one child who would rather starve than eat foods they hate.

I tried everything, if my child is gagging over trying a food then yes, he would rather go to bed hungry and has been known in the past to do just that. Unfortunately, he would just do the same the day after that until it becomes too unhealthy for him to keep missing the main meal of the day.

Some think kids will eat anything if they get hungry enough, well they haven't met mine. It's pretty hard to eat something you hate when you actually throw up eating it.

I get sick of the people who think all parents pander over their children's fussiness. I have never done that. He is 13 now and only just managed to eat a spoon of pasta this week without gagging!

Thebodyloveschocolateandwine · 29/09/2014 07:47

Very funny op.

Assuming humour was intended

If not beware as smugness has no part in parenting. Just watch while they bite your arse

If your kids 3 you have just started really there's a hell of a long way to go

Strygil · 29/09/2014 09:48

Jumprope, do you feel that you have enough to do?

SaucyJack · 29/09/2014 11:42

Saucy, as I say there are fussy eaters and there are fussy eaters. Please don't assume all children are the same.
----
I wasn't making any assumptions about yours or anybody else's child. I was clearly talking about my own child. What you feed yours is of little or no consequence to me TBH.

DaughterDilemma · 29/09/2014 15:08

U2 no doubt you've done all the reading but there was a link upthread showing research done on 'neophobic' children. There is a difference between being afraid of eating something new as part of developmental stage. When it gets out of hand as it has done with yours (no blame intended, it must be absolutely horrendous for you), it is no longer fussy eating but anxiety related.

All I can add is to use your DS's sense of smell as best you can - they don't need to actually taste the item to get used to it. Smelling food is hugely important as it's our way of assessing whether food is safe.

bronymum · 29/09/2014 16:35

'When it gets out of hand as it has done with yours (no blame intended, it must be absolutely horrendous for you), it is no longer fussy eating but anxiety related.'

It could be sensory processing disorder also.

DaughterDilemma · 29/09/2014 18:44

Sorry I meant it is no longer the normal part of developmental neophobism but has a different origin, and of course sensory and other issues need to be investigated as well.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 29/09/2014 19:23

PMSL at jezza's DS hunting broccoli Grin Before becoming a parent, nobody EVER thinks they might one day end up dragging a bit of broccoli around on a string at mealtimes.

MrsWolowitz · 29/09/2014 19:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MonoNoAware · 29/09/2014 19:41

I have 1 fussy eater and 1 that would probably eat tarmac if I served it to him. 18 months between them in age. Does that make me a shit mum, an excellent mum, or does it average out at mediocre? Or perhaps I'm just loving/pandering to one of them more than the other?

Anyway, have to dash as DS (aged 5) is about perform his latest piano symphony. I don't know why I mention it really as I'm so embarrassed people will think I'm a terrible mother for not forcing him to play violent video games instead of the hours he chooses to spend on his composing. I'm so ashamed.