Most kids go through the picky eater stage at some point in their childhood. It can make feeding time a nightmare for parents, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. There are lots of things you can do to ease the mealtime drama. Here are a few tips to help along the way.
Often times picky eating isn’t really about the food that’s placed in front of them. Children like to feel like they are in control of the situation and often a power struggle ensues. You can’t always give them a choice about what they are eating for dinner, if you did, you’d probably end up eating mac and cheese and pizza every night. Instead, try giving them choices that don’t matter as much. Do you want to eat with the green bowl or the blue bowl tonight? Do you want your Spongebob cup or your Dora cup? Letting them make little choices like this helps them feel like they are in control so they have less reason to fight during dinner instead.
Most kids aren’t real big on veggies. Can you blame them? I remember when Logan was a baby, he wouldn’t even eat baby food veggies until I found the miracle of salt. Add a little bit of salt to their veggies and all of the sudden they aren’t quite as bad anymore. As he got older I found out he loved to dip his food. Put a little ranch next to their veggies and poof! Veggies are gone in a matter of minutes!
Sometimes you have to get a little creative. Have the kids help you make little creatures out of their food instead. Let them cut their sandwich out with some cookie cutters one day. Have them make a butterfly with some carrots and lettuce. The more involved you can get them in their creations the less you have to fight them to eat them. There are so many fun ideas out there to make your life a little easier! Give it a try, you might end up with a pleasant surprise at dinner this time!