Postive Solutions for Mealtime Troubles Continued

Solution #5: Keep Trying

Sometimes a food needs to be offered many times before a fussy eater musters up the courage to try it, and they may need to try it several times before they decide if they like it. If you take Brittany Ferrell's advice, you cannot claim to 'dislike' a food until you have tried it three times, prepared three different ways. Don’t give up!

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Solution #6: Set a Good Example

Just this week, I grabbed an Oreo Pop Tart for breakfast and then told my son his breakfast choice wasn’t healthy.

No wonder he looked at me like I was silly! I really like the occasional Oreo Pop Tart but if I want my children to make healthy choices, they need to see me making healthy choices. Ah, parenthood.

Solution #7: Offer Choices You Can Live With

I’ve often heard complaints that the kids are eating too many snacks or having too much junk food, and I have to wonder who is buying all the snacks and junk food. Surely it’s not the kids! We buy it, put it within reach, and then get aggravated when they eat it. Either keep them all out of sight and reach or only buy snacks you’re okay with your child eating.

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Likewise, if you and your partner are craving liver and onions for dinner and you know your fussy eater won’t touch it, then offer him or her two choices you can live with for dinner and allow them to choose what they want.

Solution #8: Set a Routine

If there’s a predictable schedule and routine around snacks and mealtimes, it just makes things much easier. Post your routine on the refrigerator and stick to it as closely as you can. Having snacks at the table just as you do meals might prove helpful in solidifying the routine. Call it “tea time” and make it special.

Solution #9: Leave It Where It Lies

If your fussy eater is throwing food on the floor, she’s probably not all that hungry. Having a big reaction over it or fussing about picking it up several times will only make it more appealing. Just a simple, “Oops, guess you must not be hungry right now. We’ll try again later” will make it much less tempting to throw again.

For more tips for dealing with your fussy eaters, check out these mealtime activities.

Rebecca Eanes is the bestselling author of multiple books including Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide, The Positive Parenting Workbook, and The Gift of a Happy Mother. She is the grateful mom of two boys.