I haven't read the entire thread but figured I would throw in what we do in case it hasn't been mentioned.
95% of the time, the kids eat the same thing we do for dinner, although there are times I may not mix theirs up into a casserole or soup etc, but it is the same ingredients if that makes sense. (Like the meat and rice and veggie all seperate and I add a fruit to theirs)
We used to fight the food battle with Devin a lot. Now, I give her dinner, making sure there are at least 2 things I know she likes, and if she says she isn't hungry or doesn't like it, I tell her that is fine, but if you tell me you are hungry later and want a snack, this is what you are getting. We let her get up from the table if she is ready. As she gets older, we may make her sit there while we eat, but it isn't worth fighting, and it only makes her resistance worse. I often leave it sitting on the counter, or put it in the fridge if I am worried about it spoiling. She is really big into dessert, which is usually a fruit popsickle or a cookie, but she "has to do a good job on her dinner" to get it. Ever since we started really enforcing this and not worrying about her going to bed hungry, dinnertime really isnt' an issue. In fact, she is trying more foods now too because she feels she has some control. I find that she often comes back an hour later and eats most of the rest of her food. Sometimes I think she really isn't hungry yet when we eat.
It is worth a try in my opinion. Maybe he is acting this way because he feels he it is the only way he can control what he eats....remember kids at this age really want some control and will exert their independence in any way they can.
Coop on the other hand is still at an age that he will eat pretty much anything you give him! And he always eats twice as much as Devin!
I STILL make Devin us a sippy cup. I only allow water in a regular cup. But she does have a little brother who likes to knock things over and is rather rambunctious which is partly why....
95% of the time, the kids eat the same thing we do for dinner, although there are times I may not mix theirs up into a casserole or soup etc, but it is the same ingredients if that makes sense. (Like the meat and rice and veggie all seperate and I add a fruit to theirs)
We used to fight the food battle with Devin a lot. Now, I give her dinner, making sure there are at least 2 things I know she likes, and if she says she isn't hungry or doesn't like it, I tell her that is fine, but if you tell me you are hungry later and want a snack, this is what you are getting. We let her get up from the table if she is ready. As she gets older, we may make her sit there while we eat, but it isn't worth fighting, and it only makes her resistance worse. I often leave it sitting on the counter, or put it in the fridge if I am worried about it spoiling. She is really big into dessert, which is usually a fruit popsickle or a cookie, but she "has to do a good job on her dinner" to get it. Ever since we started really enforcing this and not worrying about her going to bed hungry, dinnertime really isnt' an issue. In fact, she is trying more foods now too because she feels she has some control. I find that she often comes back an hour later and eats most of the rest of her food. Sometimes I think she really isn't hungry yet when we eat.
It is worth a try in my opinion. Maybe he is acting this way because he feels he it is the only way he can control what he eats....remember kids at this age really want some control and will exert their independence in any way they can.
Coop on the other hand is still at an age that he will eat pretty much anything you give him! And he always eats twice as much as Devin!
I STILL make Devin us a sippy cup. I only allow water in a regular cup. But she does have a little brother who likes to knock things over and is rather rambunctious which is partly why....
