Your Child's Behavior at Meals and Food Issues

     These are a few more tips regarding food issues and your child's behavior. When my son was about eighteen months old; we were on an extended vacation with both sets of grandparents. It wasn't always easy to find something on the menu for my son to eat. Many places had a free appetizer buffet, my son became hooked on the pizza and then refused to eat anything else. Unfortunately, being a new parent, my son being very thin for his age, I was just happy that he would eat. Well, little did I know that I was starting a very bad habit. It took a long time to break this habit and make him realize that he had to eat what I served for dinner. I regret the fact that he suffered the consequences of my lack of knowledge. I was so careful not to make the same mistake with my daughter. 

     If you are serving food they like and they refuse to eat because they want a different choice, you need to stay firm "this is dinner." It is unrealistic to turn your kitchen into a restaurant. If they still refuse to eat and are fussing; have them leave the room. It doesn't mean they play with toys or you put on their favorite movie. You are trying to make a point, they need to cooperate. I can almost guarantee that they will return and eat their dinner. If they are very picky it makes meal planning difficult. Include a fruit or vegetable that they enjoy so they can fill up on those items even if they don't do well on the main course. Remember their stomach is as large as their closed fist, they don't need to eat a ton of food to fill up. 

      Children must sit down to eat!!! There should never be a choice on this matter. They sit at the table or they don't eat, period! If they are hungry enough they will sit to eat.  They need to finish chewing prior to leaving the table. This can be a safety issue especially with smaller children. They may leave your sight and have a choking issue in another room. Begging them to eat something or making them special food other than what is being served is just giving them control over your kitchen and you. Children need to be respectful, they need to listen, and they need to do as they are told. Later when they know the rules you can be a bit more lenient but first they need to know that you are the adult and you run the show. 

     If you want to be able to take your child with you to a restaurant. It is helpful that they already have the good manners to sit while they eat and wait until everyone is done eating. This will make it easier when you take them to a restaurant. It will just make it a natural experience and they will know how to behave. It is also important to bring a few things to keep them entertained such as crayons, paper, markers, stuffed animal, deck of cards... These items are necessary when they are very young, if they are not good at sitting still, or if there is a long wait. Dinner whether at home or at a restaurant is a great time to connect as a family. 

     Allowing your child to get up and run around at a restaurant is unacceptable.  It is a safety hazard, it is unkind to other paying patrons, and it isn't teaching your child the good manners or self control that they need to achieve. If you want to have an evening to yourself and not watch your children, please to be fair to everyone at the restaurant, and hire a babysitter. Other people at the restaurant may be paying a sitter to have a quiet evening out and this should be respected. 

     Following their six ounces of milk at lunch or dinner, if your child wants more liquid, make it water. They will soon start to request water. They do not need to have flavored liquids, water is the healthier choice. Have a sipper cup of water available to them on the kitchen table for whenever they feel thirsty. You do not have to worry about water sitting out all day either. With juice or milk, leaving it sitting out too long becomes an issue.

     Fast food is not a healthy choice for anyone. Fast food once in a while as a treat is fine. It is better to save up those many fast food trips and make it a nicer restaurant with healthier menu choices. There are many websites available, that share quick and easy meals that can be made at home. It is less expensive, better quality, and promotes better eating habits. 

     These are a few more experiences or thoughts that I wanted to share that didn't fit into my previous food posts. Your kitchen should not be treated like a restaurant. When you have prepared a meal, your family should appreciate your time and effort. A restaurant should not be treated like your kitchen either. Other patrons should be treated with consideration. Your child needs to stay seated and learn the proper behavior that is expected out in public. 

     I promise you that none of the advice that I share will harm your child. Being a parent is a lot of work, but strong and consistent parenting really pays off. When you have your child's respect and you in turn respect your child because they are well behaved, thoughtful, caring,... It is worth every minute that you have dedicated to their well being.