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raeanna74 · 03-10-2005, 06:59 AM

Every parent has the battle with their child over eating or trying a new food. I don't like the idea of making them eat it ALL unless they only took one bite of beans and now they want dessert. If they're full my philosophy is then they are full - no dessert either.

I sortof started a battle with my 4 yr old daughter last night. She absolutely refuses to try any new dish. It's gotten worse to the point at which she refuses to even try something that she's told me smells good to her. So last night I made a casserole. It's just southern hashbrowns, cubed ham, cheese soup, and shredded cheese. Very kid friendly flavors really. But would she try it - no. I put one single tablespoon full in a bowl for her. I told her she could have anything else to eat for supper if she would eat that spoonful. She refused. She said "I'm not hungry. I'm just thirsty. I want some pop." So I told her she couldn't have anything but water until she ate it and she could wait until she was hungry. She didn't yell or cry she just decided she wanted to go to bed. Fine. I told her no breakfast food or lunch until she ate it. Only water. We've made it to mid morning with her requesting pancakes, poptarts or cheese and when I've calmly reminded her of her supper and that I'd warm it up for her she refuses to eat anything rather than taste the supper. I know she's stubborn. I was extremely stubborn. I know if I give in now though that she'll know she can outlast me and I'll never get her to try another thing. I'm not making her eat a whole bowl full or more than she's hungry for. I just feel bad for doing this. I've given her water and she's making the choice not to eat essentially. It's frustrating because I know she'd like the taste of this casserole. The things in it are all things she likes. It looks different and so she insists that it's yucky.

I'm feeling bad about being firm on not letting her have anything else till she tries this. Then again maybe I'm being a wuss an not making her eat a normal serving of it. I guess you gotta start somewhere. I've been lax and not asked her to at least try stuff and been firm on it.

Tell us about your dinnertime battles. How have you succeeded? Any tips or ideas? I know there's quite a few of you here who have older kids than I do and I'm sure you've gone through this stage somewhere along the line. At least tell me if this is the right path or if there's something I could have done differently (besides letting her get to this point of constant refusal in the first place). She loved green beans and veges as an infant and toddler. It's mostly begun since she's been 4 where she's been adamant abour eating anything that looks new.

03-10-2005, 06:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	Dinnertime battles Every parent has the battle with their child over eating or trying a new food. I don't like the idea of making them eat it ALL unless they only took one bite of beans and now they want dessert. If they're full my philosophy is then they are full - no dessert either. I sortof started a battle with my 4 yr old daughter last night. She absolutely refuses to try any new dish. It's gotten worse to the point at which she refuses to even try something that she's told me smells good to her. So last night I made a casserole. It's just southern hashbrowns, cubed ham, cheese soup, and shredded cheese. Very kid friendly flavors really. But would she try it - no. I put one single tablespoon full in a bowl for her. I told her she could have anything else to eat for supper if she would eat that spoonful. She refused. She said "I'm not hungry. I'm just thirsty. I want some pop." So I told her she couldn't have anything but water until she ate it and she could wait until she was hungry. She didn't yell or cry she just decided she wanted to go to bed. Fine. I told her no breakfast food or lunch until she ate it. Only water. We've made it to mid morning with her requesting pancakes, poptarts or cheese and when I've calmly reminded her of her supper and that I'd warm it up for her she refuses to eat anything rather than taste the supper. I know she's stubborn. I was extremely stubborn. I know if I give in now though that she'll know she can outlast me and I'll never get her to try another thing. I'm not making her eat a whole bowl full or more than she's hungry for. I just feel bad for doing this. I've given her water and she's making the choice not to eat essentially. It's frustrating because I know she'd like the taste of this casserole. The things in it are all things she likes. It looks different and so she insists that it's yucky. I'm feeling bad about being firm on not letting her have anything else till she tries this. Then again maybe I'm being a wuss an not making her eat a normal serving of it. I guess you gotta start somewhere. I've been lax and not asked her to at least try stuff and been firm on it. Tell us about your dinnertime battles. How have you succeeded? Any tips or ideas? I know there's quite a few of you here who have older kids than I do and I'm sure you've gone through this stage somewhere along the line. At least tell me if this is the right path or if there's something I could have done differently (besides letting her get to this point of constant refusal in the first place). She loved green beans and veges as an infant and toddler. It's mostly begun since she's been 4 where she's been adamant abour eating anything that looks new. __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.