11/10/2016
Fussy Eaters!!!
Something parents ask for help with all the time. Parents often think of different foods they will try their child on but actually making food and eating it fun is KEY. Putting your children in control and giving them choice will change their attitude and make your life easier 😄
Getting children involved in food shopping, food prep and cooking makes SUCH a difference.
Write a shopping list together, let them fetch the food and put it in the basket. Talk about the meals you will cook and the new things you will try and also don't forget to include their favourites! So if they like sausages then make sure you grab a pack but plan to make a nice easy pitta bread pizza or mash some potatoes together!
Go to the treat aisle and choose some nice biscuits or something she loves to have as an after dinner treat!
Give them a plastic knife to make their own sandwich, cut fruit etc! Cook together, make pancakes, scones, banana bread, flapjack and then gradually add in more things to cook, make an omelette letting them mix the eggs and add their own ingredients!
Allow children to plate up their own food. An example if your having a roast dinner serve it all in dishes and get a variety of tonges and spoons and let the children pick what they have on their plate. Children love to be in control from a young age and getting them involved helps so much.
A great visual reward for good eating or sitting down or trying something new is jar of dolly mixtures or a favourite sweet somewhere they can see at dinner time. "If we try some of our dinner shall we try and get some sweets to have after" praise every mouthful they try if it's something new.
Sometimes a new routine takes time but be persistent if they don't eat or a least try their dinner then no special treat or pudding. Often a tantrum occurs but give clear guidance to your child, "when you try your food or have a few mouthfuls then you can have your treat" cling film it up and give NO attention to the tantrum. Leave the food on the table where they can see it and let them choose when they want to eat.
