10 things to consider… if you have a picky eater ….

Little do we realize that …day after day…we can actually be  encouraging our preschooler to be picky about the foods  he/she will eat. ..Day after day we prepare the meals and …..we find ourselves …frustrated at meal time…over and over again….Life gets so busy that there is no time to stop and really think about it…because it is  meal time again!!!!

Here is a list of 10 great reminders ….think about these the next time you put supper or lunch on the table.

1. It is your JOB as a parent to provide a nutritious, well-balanced meal for your child. Don’t  forget that.
2. Make the same meal for everyone…do not make something different for the picky eater…by doing so… you are only reinforcing your child to continue his negative eating habits and make them even stronger.
3. A child is just that…a child...and may decide not to eat everything you have provided. Accept that and know it  is OK. Always keep in mind…a child will not starve himself…so do not worry …he will get hungry and eventually eat more at meal time.
4. Once meal time is over and  the child has left the table…remove his plate no matter how full it may be…quietly without comment. If in ten minutes he says he is hungry…just remind him of when the next snack or meal will be…calmly without emotion.
5. Get your child into the habit of ASKING  YOU …if he can take something from the fridge/cupboard. It is difficult to have control over a child’s nutrition if they are free to take chips and cookies and more…without having to ask.
6. If you have a snack time in the afternoon or evening…make sure it is nutritious...cut up apple…celery with cheese and raisins…etc.  It can provide nutrition that was missed at meal time.
7. At mealtime…provide your child with choices...however…it is important HOW you provide them…try this…”Which would  you like milk or water??”….”Do you want one spoonful of peas or two”… choices…yes..but all good ones.
8. Don’t ask your child .…”how many spoonfuls of  peas do you want”..if he doesn’t like peas..you have now given him the opportunity to say “I don’t want any”…and now what do you do????…You certainly can’t get mad…It is important to pay more attention to the language you use at mealtime and focus less on the child.
9. If  your child has freedom to eat whatever he wants without asking…and if what he  eats  is not a good choice…it is simple…just don’t have it available ….Either…Don’t buy it or have it in your house….or…keep it up high..hiding where the child cannot find it.  Until your child is older…you should and can have control of the foods they eat.
10. If you and/or your husband love chips and eat bags of them…do you want your young child to???…Be a good role model…and if you must chow down those chips….do it after the kids are in bed..

hmmm…bedtime….that can be a whole other  problem in itself…I will talk about that another time

Always  remember… food, meals and the nutrition your child gets …on a daily basis…is your responsibility...not theirs….Remember … you are the parent and it is because you are older and wiser and have better decision making skills…that you are in charge of meals and food in your house…not your young child.