Grandpa Richards Kids

Is your child a picky eater? Forcing them to eat the foods you choose for them is not the best solution. You need to decide what foods are available at meal times. Your child decides which of these foods they eat. Your child may be going through a phase. Their desired choice for every meal may be a peanut butter sandwich. Don’t be concerned. If you provide a variety of foods, they will eventually come around.

Some experts have said that it can take 10 times before a child accepts a new food. Keep offering, and don’t force them. They will eventually try it.

If you do become frustrated easily, that can have an impact on their future food habits. Tense mealtimes are not the way to encourage a child’s good eating habits. Another option that many parents are tempted to take is to offer a dessert as reward. This is another option that I would recommend you not fall for.

Do you or your partner have bad eating habits? These also can have a terrible influence on your child. They see and hear everything.

One other suggestion that everyone familiar with the situation has, is to make sure that mealtime is a pleasurable social event, eating together as a family. Many families allow the TV to continue to run during dinners. Do not be tempted to allow that. It will backfire on you.

Make sure your meals have a variety of fruits, vegetables, starches, and meats. Your child will eventually come around and enjoy all of them.