3 year old won't try anything new - how do I do it?

[dinnertime]

Hi all

This is my first time here. I have 3 year old twin girls. Both have been brilliant eaters since day 1 but now dd2 won't eat most of the things she used to love and won't try anything new to the point she covers her face and just sits there.

Should I just take the plate away and make her sit whilst the rest of us eat and hope for the best?

Why has she become a little madam in the space of 3 weeks?

help me please!!!!

Poor you. I have a 3 year old DD who has always been fussy so a starchart worked well to get her to try new things. But if yours has always eaten well it sounds like an attention/control thing to me. I'd try and make as little fuss as possible and definately don't give any alternatives, puddings or snacks in between meals. Its really hard and I know my DD is a stroppy madam when hungry but she is old enough to know the 'rules' around mealtimes. If yours has a sister who carries on getting pudding/snacks etc she should see that not eating isn't really worth it.

Good luck

I have 3 year old twin girls too, when one of them wont eat or is just playing with thier food I praise the other one for eating so well, it usualy works.

Thank you feetheart and totaleclipse.

I will try to be strong and not get annoyed.

But it really is just so annoying when you have taken time to prepare the food and know that she likes it really.

I agree that it is an attention/control thing so will just take it away and leave her with nothing.

She loves fruit for pudding so that will have to stop to prove a point which is a shame since it is so good for her.

Ah well!