Meal times are a nightmare

[Nomorerain]

DD 3yr old is a really fussy eater (typical prob I know) and 18m DD is also becoming the same way after being such a good eater. Meal times are just a nightmare - esp. at tea time. Whatever I make, they seem to turn their noses up and DD1 physically wretches. (I don't really think my cooking is THAT bad ) I've been loathed to give them the foods which they really want all the time but it's becoming so stressful (DH in particular gets frustrated) that I'm just wondering whether to forget trying and give them what I know they like (mainly fish fingers, homemade chips, salad). I just want to put an end to the stress.
Would appreciate any thoughts/suggestions. Thanks.

There's not much wrong with fish fingers, chips and salad for small children.

But look, here's how we deal with the problem with my four and two year old. We set the timer. They have half an hour to eat. If they don't eat, they go hungry. They rarely go hungry two days running. Snacks are very limited and never served within two hours of a meal. If possible we give them their main meal at lunchtime when they are more likely to eat more.

Good luck. It passes. Try not to show your frustrations to them. :)

and NEVER comment on their eating e.g. 'are you going to eat that potato/just one more carrot etc'.

You are doing such a brilliant job by keeping going with family meal times, well done. If you want to reduce the stress factor why not dish out things that are easy such as pasta with pesto, omelettes etc or mix things they like with things not so fussed on so at least they eat something. Seriously though I don't do family meals often enough and although its unpleasant now its a wonderful routine

we used a plate with a face on - made the food into fun shapes etc, like a game,I also tell myself all is ok, even if only about half goes down! Kids won't starve themselves... good luck :)

Whomoved - your comment made me think - We're in a (bad) habit of saying to DS (2y 4mo), "you need to eat one more/two more bites before you can play" it causes a lot of tears and frustration but shouldn't we just keep doing it so he knows we're not going to back down? At the same time I don't want him having food issues. no clue what to do. Op I empathise. However it mist be even more frustrating with 2 DC!

Also - about the snacking, DS has access to the fruit bowl whenever he wants. He doesn't overeat but does at times get a bit of fruit within 2 hours of a meal time. I thought giving him some choice and independence with food was a good thing but now not so sure...

Sorry for this hijack Op, I might need to start a thread!

So there are meals she will eat? Thats great. I would start there. Some ideas:

Add new things on to the plate, don't comment, let her ask what they are. For example, sprinkle peas or sweetcorn on the salad, baby sweetcorn, carrot strips, pasta shapes, introduce potato wedges instead of chips, chicken nuggets or other shapes (dinosaurs etc).

Then perhaps move on to getting her involved in making tea, homemade pizzas, something on toast.

Try offering a menu (2 options) and get her to choose what she wants for tea and then she helps make it.

Put all the food on platters/in bowls in the middle of the table and everyone helps themselves.

hth