A Guaranteed Two-Step Approach To Raising A Good Eater
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It’s not the first time a parent has complained about their child being a fussy eater. If you have a child who is a picky eater, you deserve the sympathy of the world. It’s not an easy position to be in because every time you have to feed your child, you have to think of a new creative way to get them to eat. Apart from trying out different recipes that your child might take a liking to, you also have to come up with creative ways to feed your child.
Some parents distract their children with toys, movies, and songs while feeding them; others trick them into eating by telling them stories. My mother often used one trick: to pretend that the food was an airplane and it needed to land in my mouth. Another trick she tried was to pretend that I was in a competition and the only way to win was to finish my food.
While these tricks seem silly or absurd, they worked! They helped my mom worry less about feeding a fussy eater like myself. As much as I feel sorry for her, I truly understood her plight when my daughter was born. Because it turns out, she is just like her mother. My daughter is as fussy as they come and trying to feed her every day taught me a thing or two.
Set The Right Expectations
The most common mistake that moms make is worrying about not feeding their children nutritious and wholesome foods in every meal. But the thing is, it is okay if your child does not live up to that expectation. I’d say lower that expectation and change your definition of what it means to be a good eater. It’s okay if your child does not eat all their food in one meal. It’s not a big deal if your kid skips dinner on one day. They will not pass out or fall sick. Focus on the days when they do eat their dinner. Don’t hesitate to give them a little junk food or sweets if they crave it. You might be tempted to insist that they eat only healthy food but don’t be too strict with their diet. It’s not practical and will only make feeding them harder for you.
Accept that your kids will never appreciate all the work that you put into preparing their food. They are too young to know that you factored in all the right nutrition while making their food instead of following the freezer-to-pan method. But it’s okay. They are kids, and if they eat peanut butter and jelly for dinner three nights in a row, it won’t ruin them. Be fine with allowing your kids to watch cartoons, movies, or play a game because let’s be honest, we are all just trying to get through the day.
Leave The Rest To Luck
There is only so much you can do to make sure your child eats well. Apart from lowering expectations, I’d say, bank on luck that your kid is a good eater. Hope that your kid doesn’t have deadly allergies or disorders that may prevent her from eating.
If your kid is born a fussy eater, there’s practically nothing you can do about it. A kid being a good eater is circumstantial. It has nothing to do with what you feed them, what you don’t, and how much they are loved. Be clear about that, and don’t blame yourself if your kid is a picky eater.
The most important lesson I’ve learned that I wish to pass on to you is that don’t beat yourself up when your kid refuses to eat. It’s not your fault. Change the way you look at a child who’s a fussy eater, and don’t let it stress you out.
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