aaaaaarrrgghhhhh!!!!! mealtimes!!!

[IvaNighSpare]

just need to vent really.
DS - 4, nearly 5 is driving me to distraction. Every meal seems to be an attempt at negotiation ("how many more mouthfuls", "if i eat this much can i have pudding?", " can i pick out the vegetables/lumpy bits/etc")
I find myself now getting diproportionately angry and hit the roof today when he agreed to eat his potato curry if I took out the potato. [wtf?].
I'm at my wits end, even if it's a meal he used to love he starts a fight before even taking the first mouthful. And I find myself getting drawn in. Grrrrr
I've tried the usual options: take it or leave it, dinner or bed, letting him have his way, sitting down with him at every meal, leaving him alone to eat, but nothing works.
Is this normal for a boy of his age? Did anyone experience this, and how did you get through it?
Support please...[begging emoticon]

I think you are falling into the trap set by your little one. The more you argue the more attention he gets. He is pushing the boundaries, as normal, and watching your response.

Put his meal in front of him (what you want him to eat - not the other way around) and if he begins to argue take it away and say OK, in a normal voice. Continue to do this at every meal. It may take a while BUT (a) he won't starve and (b) you will have no arguments and so feel less stressed. Sooner or later he will be hungry and then you can repeat the process. Even if it is painful for you, you have to turn this situation around or once he has won this round he will start on something else e.g. bedtime, tv etc.
You can make a glass of milk available between meals if you are really worried.
Remember HE is the Child and YOU are the Adult.