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Parenting

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Original poster

If DS won't eat his dinner, he can go without!!

40 replies

Humdrumhappiness · 10/05/2010 18:31

DS is 2 1/2. He is a very fussy eater, not only that but he'll eat something one day and not the next. It is a right pain.

Tonight if he doesn't eat his chicken, he will be going to bed hungry. No fussing, no last minute menu change, no pudding, no fruit.

Tell me I'm doing the right thing. If not tell me your suggestions.

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Original poster

Humdrumhappiness · 10/05/2010 19:04

Like sticker chart idea.

OP posts:

colditz · 10/05/2010 19:04

Is he knackered at dinner time?

Original poster

Humdrumhappiness · 10/05/2010 19:09

Nope, not usually tired. Today he is very interested in playing with his helicopter. When he his hungry he asks to go to bed though, so I don't know if he's worked out that he needs food rather than bed to perk him up.

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wb · 10/05/2010 19:14

Actually in my experience kids close to starvation will eat anything, including lots of stuff not included in their normal (and I agree relatively limited) diet - roots, leaves, bugs, berries, mud, bone....

DumpyOldWoman · 10/05/2010 19:15

If he is confusing hunger and tiredness, is he too tired to eat? After 6.30 is quite late for a 2 yo.

But I agree, broadly - offer dinner, and bread and butter on the side. If he doesn't eat it, remove calmly and pleasantly, without any fuss whatsoever.

Then shortly before bed, offer the same thing again as a snack, with a glass of milk.

Original poster

Humdrumhappiness · 10/05/2010 19:16

I'll pop back later - bath time now. Thanks for all your suggestions everyone

I caved and gave him some bread.

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Original poster

Humdrumhappiness · 10/05/2010 19:17

Dumpy - I agree 6.30 is late. I'd been trying to feed him since 5.30.

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Lulumaam · 10/05/2010 19:19

i would offer it much earlier.. sometime around 4.30 or 5... and then play, bath, supper ,quiet time, and then bed time

DumpyOldWoman · 10/05/2010 19:21

Oh, bread is OK.
As long as it doesn't have choc spread on it .

Don't go on trying to feed him for an hour! Offer food, shrug and remove, offer later in a casual way, not a pleading, begging or desparate way. (I took up this tactic after pursiong 2 yo DC round the garden with a spoon....)

2 yos just don't always need much food.

DumpyOldWoman · 10/05/2010 19:21

Yes, early tea time, then small supper and milk.

Original poster

Humdrumhappiness · 10/05/2010 19:29

LOL at pursuing with a spoon - have been there Dumpy.

OP posts:

grapesandmoregrapes · 10/05/2010 19:39

why is food such an issue to so many people? I make a meal for my DD 2.1, if she doesn't want it I assume she isn't hungry, meal time over! If she has some then she gets fruit/yoghurt afterwards, not as a "reward" but simply as part of the meal, regardless of whether she has 2 mouthfulls or 10. rewarding children with stickers/pudding etc for eating just encourages them to eat when they dont't want to.

we need to have more trust in our children that they will eat if they are hungry. If a child tries something and does'nt like it then fair enough, we don't all eat everything, but if they refuse something without even tasting it that is just fussiness! the more of a palava you make of mealtimes then the more of an issue they become. children often don't need as much food as we think, and going without dinner will not do them any harm.

also, faffing around offering laods of different things until they get what they wannt just lets them know that if they refuse something they will get something else. a choice between 2 or 3 things is fine but children of that age should not have overall choice of what they eat!

pop1973 · 10/05/2010 19:41

My lo was often stubborn with food and still is. I used to be really mean and sit the lo down with dried weetabix on a chair. Which he promptly ate.

Following day wasn't so fussy with his food.

rookiemater · 10/05/2010 20:17

OP you are doing the right thing, wish I had stuck more to my guns when DS was younger, sigh.

Do agree though keep all food items separate on the plate and try to include at least one that has been eaten before.

Don't comment unduly on what is eaten or not and hopefully you won't end up with a ridiculously fussy 4 year old like myself.

Dancergirl · 10/05/2010 20:31

Personally I don't like the 'if you don't eat your dinner you won't get pudding' method. Like pudding is some sort of reward. It's not - it's just pudding. Two courses - main course and pudding and one is not better than the other.

No don't make another meal if he doesn't eat it, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of fruit or yoghurt.

Ocasionally I have even been known to give dessert first then main course! Not very often but sometimes it lightens the mood and it's fun!

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