In a child's toddler years they are not fully in control and most of the decision-making they experience are influenced by their parents from what to wear, what to do and what to eat. Kids want to experience some independence sometimes.
This explains why parents have to face some child battle when it's mealtime according to Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions. As parents, it's your responsibility to prepare a variety of healthy foods for your child and your child also has their own responsibility to choose what they want to eat.
Preparing special foods just for your kid could be very tiring. Here are some advice coming from many experts on how to overcome mealtime battles.
1. Involve them in meal planning
Since children don't have a lot of choices yet, parents should try to adjust on what a child would like to eat. Ask them what they want and incorporate it with other foods that you want. For example, kids might like to eat chicken meat then you can try to pair it with some few vegetables for them to eat.
2. Offer tasty desserts
You can prepare some new variety of foods to your child that are healthy and delicious. Try to make a deal if they eat the prepared food, they get to eat a very good tasting dessert as a reward.
3. Kids will likely eat what their parents eat
Make yourself a good example by showing them that you like the food that you eat. Tell your child to give it a try. You can give them a small amount to consume and until they get familiar with the taste. They will get used to the taste and consider it as part of their food choices.
4. Let your kids join the meal preparation
In this way, kids get interested in the foods they will prepare and they get to know the ingredients in the food that they are going to eat. It's good that they played a part because when they have something to say about the food that they prepared, they tend to eat it more.
5. Eating should be the child's problem and not yours
This is like leaving your child with no choice but to eat. Explain to them that the food served is the only food to eat. They are growing up and it's their choice to eat it or not. Don't offer any other food until the next scheduled meal or snack breaks. They will overcome this stage and if they are hungry, they get no other choice but to eat.
If you are a parent and still whining about your child's mealtime battle, try to practice these advice and apply it every meal time.
