Toddler screams when cracker is broken

[pensionpot]

My DS gets ridiculously upset when his cracker/banana/whatever food is "broken", usually from dropping on the floor.

Any ideas on how to help him cope with this?

Right now, I just give him a cuddle and say it's ok for the cracker to be broken. But not sure if there's any other tips you might have?

I think its just something they go through.

DS was like it for a week and then seem to not be bothered by it anymore.

Hopefully just a phase 🙏🏻

How old is he?

I'm remembering DS and the few months when he was epically upset every time he ate food. As in - he had a cracker or whatever in each hand. He'd then eat one and the horror he'd have an empty hand Who stole it? Where was it? Hula hoops were hell He could not see it was all his own doing.

I just reassured my ds that it still tasted the same and he was fine after a bit.

I wouldn't comfort him too much, honestly. I quick, "I see that. I'm sorry you're upset but it will be ok" is more than adequate. Too much of a response by you will only encourage more of his reaction to "broken" food. This will soon pass, and then he'll be off to the next phase.

Jesus, dd asks for sandwiches cut a certain way and then completely loses her mind when I give them to her in aforementioned shape

I think it’s just a toddler stage, everything is emotionally fraught when you’re 2. Especially broken crackers! Don’t worry, he won’t still be crying over crackers when he goes school

DD was like that. I just used to tell her to pace herself. She's still a bit of a drama queen at the age of thirty!

Oh my dd did this all the time (now 18).
I used to say eat both bits really quickly so your tummy can put them back together.
It worked for her.

Normal normal, dont make a fuss just ignore it, its a phase

OP, read the 'cutted up pear' thread in Classics and you'll see every toddler has their own version of this 😁

My niece started to have a meltdown because her mother had broken a brioche in half. My sister was going to get another one until I said "that's a pity you won't eat it because that's the last one". She ate it.

She also had the hysterics when her mother was throwing out dead flowers. I think my niece is going to be a hoarder because she won't let anything be thrown out or given away.

Here is some advice I have found funny and useful:

themilitarywifeandmom.com/tame-temper-tantrum/

I've always told mine they are soooo lucky, now they have two! Seemed to work for them.

I wouldn't comfort him too much, honestly. I quick, "I see that. I'm sorry you're upset but it will be ok" is more than adequate

I’d say this too. I’m quite hardline - eat it or don’t, but you’re not getting another.

DH's Nan once offered DS2 then 2 a biscuit from one of those boxes you get full of broken biscuits.
It was hell on earth.

Oh gosh I had forgotten about the broken banana / broken cracker tantrum.
Utterly bonkers toddlers are.

Toddlers are insane. Youll be at it all bloody day if you try and comfort them through every the biscuit is broken/toast is cut the wrong way/teddy is sad meltdown.

They grow out of it (eventually)

He's 2.5 so I guess in peak toddler tantrum phase, doesn't help that we are away on holiday and he's out of routine so is even more quick to cry.

Glad to hear it's just a phase and he'll grow out of it!

I might try the "eat it quick so it gets back together in your tummy" line

Mostly I just say sorry you're sad, but it's fine that it's broken! It's meant to be broken anyway

Lol just read cutted up pear
That's so totally like my DS

DS1 was so bad for this that we still, 20 years later, call a fuss made about a minor problem a "broken biscuit moment".

Many children do this, just cuddle and don't worry about

Was beaten to it but yes definitely search for the cutted up pear thread 😂

Yeah we had this exact problem at that age. 6 months later and he can generally cope so much better. At first I would give him a new one but then he would break it again just so he could cry so eventually just said "that's okay, it still tastes the same, eat it if you want or leave it". honestly though I think its just a phase and it will pass regardless of what you do X