exhausting
I spend time preparing what I think is a meal he’ll like (his favorite pasta, vegetables cut into fun shapes, even a tiny dessert as a reward) and yet as soon as the plate hits the table, he starts dissecting everything. He nibbles on plain noodles, pushes broccoli into a corner, and somehow finds a microscopic speck of seasoning to complain about. Forget anything with “green stuff” or sauce on it; it’s like he’s committed a culinary crime. It’s getting to the point where I dread mealtime because I know it’ll be a battle. How do I stop this from turning into a bigger problem? Or is this just a phase? Help!
My 4 year old went through a phase where he’d only eat things that were beige. I’d make a whole meal, and he’d just want crackers and cheese. It’s so draining when you’re trying your best and it feels like nothing works. But you’re not alone! A lot of parents go through this, and it does get better. Hang in there!
My daughter used to inspect her food like a detective looking for clues. She wouldn’t even try something new unless she’d seen her dad eat it first, sometimes multiple times! I’ve been there, and it’s exhausting. One thing that helped us was involving her in the cooking. She’d mix things or sprinkle cheese, and it made her more curious about trying what she helped create. Maybe give that a shot?
Honestly, it’s probably just a phase. My son was super picky at that age, and now at 8, he eats sushi and salads like it’s no big deal. I know it’s frustrating, but I think a lot of kids grow out of it once they’re exposed to more foods over time. Just keep offering variety, even if it feels pointless right now
My son was the same way, and what worked for us was the “no pressure” approach. We stopped commenting on what he was or wasn’t eating and just modeled healthy eating ourselves. Slowly but surely, he started trying more foods on his own. It took months, but now he’ll at least try everything on his plate. It’s all about patience
What helped us was creating a “safe food” strategy. We’d always include one thing on the plate that we knew our daughter liked, alongside the new or less preferred foods. That way, she felt in control and wasn’t overwhelmed. Sometimes she’d only eat the “safe food,” but over time, she started nibbling on the other things. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s progress
Thank you all for the encouragement and tips. I love the idea of involving him in cooking and offering a “safe food” with each meal. It’s reassuring to know this phase isn’t forever, even though it feels endless right now. I’m definitely going to try some of these ideas and see how it goes!
As a mom of teenagers now, I promise you, this won’t last forever. I used to stress so much about my kids’ eating habits. The best advice I got was to let go of the power struggle. Keep offering healthy options, but don’t make it a battle. It’s more important to create a positive mealtime atmosphere than to have them eat every veggie. You’re doing fine
My kids are older now, and I’ve learned a few things along the way. First, it’s okay to simplify meals. If they’ll eat plain pasta, let them. Gradually add variety in small ways. Also, keep exposing them to “green stuff,” even if they won’t touch it. Sometimes, it takes 10-15 exposures before they’ll try it. Trust the process, it’s not wasted effort