I used to be that parent who couldn’t quite grasp why others would lament about their kids being picky eaters. I believed my children would eat—or not eat—whatever I prepared for them. I never fancied myself a short-order cook; I simply offered reasonable choices, including two vegetables at every meal. If one of my kids detested broccoli to the point of gagging, I’d make carrots as an alternative.
That was all well and good until my fourth child came along. She was an ordinary baby, taking bottles without a fuss and sampling baby foods with ease. But then she hit the stubborn toddler phase—a phase I had already navigated with my three older kids—where she would sometimes fling food onto the floor or refuse to eat. I thought it was just a phase. Until it became apparent that it wasn’t. Now, I find myself apologizing to other parents. My previous dismissals of their picky eaters were not justified.
We strive to prepare meals that everyone will enjoy. In fact, we devised a meal and snack schedule based on our children’s preferences and any food allergies. With six people in our household, we want to avoid wasting time and money on meals that won’t be eaten. We created a list to help, and it’s been effective for most of us—well, almost everyone.
My youngest is a classic last child, a bit spoiled, I admit. As our final baby, I’ve found it hard to say “no” as firmly as I did with her older siblings. I’m not alone in this; my husband and the other three kids also indulge her too much.
As she’s grown, her pickiness has escalated. She rejects nearly all meats, half of the fruits and vegetables we usually serve, beans, anything she labels as “too spicy,” and much more. I refuse to offer her just her five favorites on repeat, which would mean she’d only eat melon, popcorn, and chocolate desserts—not exactly nutritional powerhouses.
With just a year left before she starts kindergarten, I know I have to tackle her pickiness. It raises the question I see frequently in online parenting groups: how do we encourage our kids to eat more than just a few favored foods? I’m not referring to children with sensory issues or specific needs—just typical kids who are stubborn.
I’m not about to impose any toxic eating standards on my child. We don’t enforce a “clean your plate” rule or tell our kids they should be ashamed for wasting food while others are starving. These tactics have been tried for ages and rarely yield results. I also refuse to resort to hiding pureed vegetables in junk food; I’m just as stubborn as my child.
Not only is she a picky eater, but she’s also a slow one. Imagine a great-grandmother savoring her meal—that’s my child. She’s so entertained by her siblings’ antics and conversations that eating is far from her priority. She’s all ears for gossip, eager to absorb any intriguing tidbits.
At this point, I’m unsure what to do about her eating habits. She maintains a healthy weight and height. I loathe food battles, and I won’t stoop to threats, sticker charts, or “eat three more bites for dessert.”
This resonates deeply with me. As parents, we should never say never. You might think, “I will never co-sleep with my children” or “My baby will never have a pacifier.” Until you have that particular child who tests every boundary, you truly don’t know what you’ll do or say.
For now, I simply provide her with healthy options. If she’s not hungry, that’s fine—those healthy choices will still be available at the next meal. I’ve learned to let go of the stress. After all, she’s growing and healthy, and I have better things to do than fret over whether she takes a few bites of her food.
I remember being a kid and disliking certain foods, often due to sensory issues. I gagged on things like pineapple and meat, leaving my parents frustrated. Long before we understood sensory processing disorder or had options like feeding therapy, I felt embarrassed and anxious about foods that were particularly chewy. If that’s the case for my daughter, I won’t add any more stress to mealtime.
I’m certainly not letting her survive solely on crackers and soda, so I must be doing something right. If her lunch consists of just an apple one day, so be it. Does the health-conscious part of me cringe at the lack of protein or healthy fats? Absolutely. However, I refuse to let her pickiness get under my skin to the point of instilling any toxic food habits or body image issues. Women already deal with enough pressure. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s dinnertime, and I suspect she won’t be eating much of what’s on the table.
For more insights on parenting challenges, check out this helpful post that discusses various parenting topics. Additionally, if you’re exploring options for home insemination, Make a Mom is a reputable resource. Don’t forget to visit IVF Babble for a wealth of information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Probable Search Queries:
- how to deal with picky eaters
- strategies for feeding picky children
- ways to encourage healthy eating habits
- tips for meal planning with kids
- understanding children’s food preferences
Summary: The author reflects on their previous beliefs about picky eating, acknowledging that their youngest child has developed into a very selective eater, challenging their parenting strategies. They share their journey of navigating mealtimes without resorting to pressure tactics, while also considering the importance of allowing children to explore their preferences without inducing stress.
Leave a Reply