What Do You Do If Your Kids Won't Eat?

If the kids are really, really little Id maybe make something small that's different. But older kids, no way. I try to make things that we all like to eat. And if my daughter doesn't like 1 thing we're having for dinner I just tell her to take one or 2 bites and eat the other things, like the veggies or whatever. If she says she doesn't like anything, I tell her I'm not going to make a whole seperate meal and she can make herself a sandwich.

I think that if a kid doesn't want to eat what you cook, they can make themselves or you can (if they are little), a sandwhich or something else light and easy. This provides for their immediate hunger needs without trying to meet their every whim...kind of a happy medium. I think that is what I would do with this type of situation.

I would put the meal in front of them, and tell them its that or nothing. I did that, and my grown children at least try everything even foods that I would never consider. I have a friend who catered to her 2 kids, making them separate meals, and they won't even try new things now. One is vegan, and the other only eats chicken and rice dishes. Both are malnourished and sick all the time. Your children won't starve if they miss a meal, and the way kids eat these days, they won't even go hungry. An occasional skipped meal won't hurt any North American kid. They generally eat too much anyway.

If the kids don't like what you fix ask them next time what do you want for dinner then if they all agree then fix it. I sometimes have to fix two meals my daughter is a picky eater and so is my husband for example he wants spegehtii and she wants something else so I try to fix both ways. Once in a great while they agree with the same food when I sugest something like chicken everybody wants it. Lots of time I would ask ok now what do you guys want for dinner and no body says anything so I just pick it out, if they don't like it well they can fix their own because I did ask.

I have taught my children what is cooked for dinner is what they will eat. If they decide not to any dinner then they won't be allowed to get a snack later. Usually my children will make themselves a small plate so that they can at least get a snack later.

It depends on what I am making. If it s a meal that I know beforehand that he will not eat because of whats in it or because it will be too hot or anything like that then I will make hm something different but in general he eats the same as me and if he doesnt want it he'll just have to do without. Mostly that s more a sign that he isnt hungry then that he really wouldnt eat it.

Unless they are sick and can't eat, I refuse to make any other meal. Actually, this happened today, my daughter decided she didn't want the soup I made for everyone at lunch. I made her stay there and eat it, after too long for me I sent her upstairs to bed. This gave her time to think and she came back down after about an hour and asked if she could still eat her soup.

For dinner we usually have a meat or fish a starch and a veggie. If they do not eat least 2 parts of it. Its waiting for them when they are really hungry. Little kids wont starve themselves. My kids doc said even if they dont each for a day or 2 bet they will eat anything by the third day. Guess what he was right and now they really are not picky at all. Compared to alot of my friends my kids will eat what is put in front of them without a fight.

My eldest daughter is so hard to feed. It would take an hour before she can finish a meal. She won't eat by herself even if she's now 5 years old. I just really have to be patient to her or else she'll starve because she won't tell you even if she's already hungry. She loves one food though, it's McDonald's fries. My aunt said don't feed her if she doesn't like then when she feels hungry she's going to look for food herself. I tried this once but it didn't work on her. She could let a day pass without eating solid foods, but she's easy to feed on milk or chocolate drinks. I think I just have to stay patient and feed her when she needed it.

Children must be prompted to eat better for a healthy life. For very little kids telling stories while feeding them would always help. I have tried it and found great success.

I refuse to make my daughter special meals. She either eats what we are having or she eats a peanut butter sandwich. If she doesnt eat her meal than there is no dessert or candy that night. We stick to this rule and she has become much less picky in the last year that we have had full custody. When they get hungry enough they will eat.

Usually, I talk to her and ask why she doesn't like to eat. If her reason is reasonable, I give her a hot milk or chocolate instead. But, if her reason is-she doesn't like the food. I do not cook another meal for her. I, too believe that when you cook another meal for your child, the more they get picky.

Like your mom I also prepare a different meal if my child doesn't want what is on the table. I believe that it is our duty as parents to make sure that they eat a balance diet every single day. I am a full-time so I have the luxury of time which I devote to my two wonderful boys. Plus I have the help of my mother and a helper. So if my eldest who is now very vocal about what he wants and what he doesn't want tells me that he doesn't want what is on the table...I indulge him and ask him what he wants. Hey children would not be young forever so as adults let us allow them to enjoy that stage of their life wherein they are starting to form their own identity and establishing their preferences. If for instance my child refused to eat a food which I deem necessary for his own well-being... I do not force it...but I make sure that I make him realize the importance of taking that particular food. My eldest child doesn't want to eat fruits and vegetables but unknowingly he is taking them...For instance, I slice carrots into very minute pieces and add it to his favorite baked cheesy macaroni. He eats the macaroni thankfully without suspecting that there are certain ingridients he refuses to eat...With a dash of imagination, creativity and patience, we can feed our child nutricious meals without turning feeding time into an ordeal.

everytime i cook for the family,i always prepare something i know my kids will also love to eat.i have a 4 year old and 1 year old son.my 4 year old isnt that really picky.if he doesnt like what i prepare, i just talk to him and explain that if he doesnt eat it, he wont be healthy and wont have big muscles like his dad...

My toddler became a picky eater and wouldn't eat much. The reason probably is because we eat too late that he'll drink his milk instead of waiting for the food to be served. Sometimes I make him taste the food and if he doesn't like it, I don't push him to eat, i know he will eat is he's hungry. just my pov.

Nope, I don't cook something different for them. They eat what I cook, or they don't eat. Kids aren't stupid. They'll eat when they are hungry. It may be 3 hours after your dinner is done and put away, but that's when I offer to reheat the leftovers. They will learn. To offer to cook a seperate meal is defeating the purpose of cooking a meal isn't it? I can understand making hotdogs when you and DH have steak, but I don't go out of my way to cook a totally kid friendly meal. My son thought I could do that for him, and I charged him $.50 for everything different that he wanted me to make. He ended up eating--and enjoying the original meal.

It will depend on what I'm cooking for the family. For example if I'm cooking spicy food, I'll make sure I have another dish which is non-spicy so that my kid can take. Or if I'm jus taking soup and bread, I'll cook porridge for him. If he's able to take what I'll be cooking, then no need to prepare separately. But when I'm over at my mom's place, she'll always cook specially for him, and that'll be porridge.

I have kids ages 15,16,7,and 8. When the first batch were stil small, they were so picky, so i just follow what they like in order to make them eat. When they become older, they eat so much that, its the opposite of what i told them before when thay were small. Now, my 2nd batch is very picky again that i have to cook separate menu for them. But i understood them now. I know their being picky will not last forever,soon i will be telling them to minimize eating or they will have a hard time dieting. ah funny....

Like your mom I also prepare a different meal if my child doesn't want what is on the table. I believe that it is our duty as parents to make sure that they eat a balance diet every single day. I am a full-time so I have the luxury of time which I devote to my two wonderful boys. Plus I have the help of my mother and a helper. So if my eldest who is now very vocal about what he wants and what he doesn't want tells me that he doesn't want what is on the table...I indulge him and ask him what he wants. Hey children would not be young forever so as adults let us allow them to enjoy that stage of their life wherein they are starting to form their own identity and establishing their preferences. If for instance my child refused to eat a food which I deem necessary for his own well-being... I do not force it...but I make sure that I make him realize the importance of taking that particular food. My eldest child doesn't want to eat fruits and vegetables but unknowingly he is taking them...For instance, I slice carrots into very minute pieces and add it to his favorite baked cheesy macaroni. He eats the macaroni thankfully without suspecting that there are certain ingridients he refuses to eat...With a dash of imagination, creativity and patience, we can feed our child nutricious meals without turning feeding time into an ordeal.

It's not a problem I normally have as mine are the type that will eat you out of house and home. IF there is a small part of the meal someone doesn't like, it is fine with me if they skip that portion. I do expect them to eat the main bit, though.