I try to negotiate, even promising him his favorite dessert, but to no avail. The other day I got so frustrated that I ended up yelling at him, and that left a bitter taste in my mouth because I don’t want our time at the table to be a battle. I know he needs to eat well to grow up healthy, but I don’t know how to set limits without being too harsh or always giving in. What do I do? Is it normal for him to test my patience?
you’re definitely not alone in this! Picky eating is super common at this age. My 8 year old used to be just like that, and trust me, it does get better. One thing that helped us was offering tiny portions of veggies alongside the stuff they love. Sometimes, they just need to see it over and over again to get used to it. Keep going, you’ve got this!
I feel this so much. My daughter is 5, and for almost a year, she only ate mac and cheese. It was so frustrating, and I definitely lost my cool a few times. What helped us was focusing on the bigger picture, making mealtime positive. I started having her help me “cook” (which usually meant stirring something or choosing a veggie from the fridge), and she became curious enough to try new things. It wasn’t overnight, but now she eats broccoli! You’re doing great, even on the hard days
My kid is 6 too, and every meal feels like a negotiation. I keep wondering if I’m doing something wrong. It’s exhausting! No advice, but just wanted to say I’m right there with you
I had a full, on meltdown once because my son told me carrots were “yucky worms” after he begged for them the week before. Parenting is wild. No real advice, but I try to laugh it off when I can. Also, my 12 year old is proof they eventually grow out of the chicken nugget phase, mostly. 
Hi Samantha, I’ve been in your shoes. My son went through a phase where fries were his “favorite vegetable.” A trick that worked for us was making mealtime more playful. I’d cut veggies into fun shapes, like stars or hearts, and he thought it was the coolest thing. We also started a “one, bite rule”, he didn’t have to eat the whole thing, just try one bite. Some days it worked, some days it didn’t, but over time, he got used to more flavors. Keep showing up; you’re planting the seeds (pun intended!)
THX you all so much for the ideas and support. It really helps to know I’m not alone. I’m going to try the “one-bite rule” and maybe get him involved in the kitchen. He loves anything hands-on, so maybe he’ll be more open to trying things if he helps make them. I’ll also try not to stress so much about it being perfect. Thanks again, I really needed this!