Mealtimes with young kids are fun, and they can also be crazy and messy! It is a real struggle to keep food from touching, falling on, or being smushed into all the surfaces around your kid. This is already a lot to handle without also having to worry that your kid is eating enough of the right things. Having a picky eater is a whole other battle! It can be frustrating as a parent trying to make sure your kid is getting enough of what they need to grow and develop when they just don’t seem to want to work with you. Whether they avoid vegetables altogether or are holding a grudge against cottage cheese, here are some tips that may help you and your picky eater!
Get Creative
One way to get kids excited about trying new foods, or foods they haven’t previously liked, is by making this moment a bit more fun. One way to do this is to make different shapes with the food. You can arrange them in a star formation or possibly create a rainbow using the different colors of the food. You can even make a smiley face out of the food! Don’t be afraid to be a little silly! Making fun facial expressions as you try the food could be the encouragement they need! If all else fails, the airplane method is always a classic!
Model:
I briefly mentioned this above with the facial expressions, but eating the food yourself makes a huge difference. As kids watch you eating a variety of foods, that can encourage them to do the same. Don’t underestimate your example for your kids, they look up to you! I know for me my mom was a wonderful example of this. She was always excited to try a new food and encouraged us to join in on the fun! Her excitement and love of trying new things has heavily influenced my approach to food, even as an adult!
Keep trying:
Don’t be discouraged if after introducing broccoli to your kid they completely ignore it. It may take several introductions of a food before they will even consider eating it. Waiting a few days before introducing a food again is beneficial. This process will be slow and it will be easy to get frustrated. However, being patient and consistent will work wonders in the long run!
Schedules:
Running with the theme of consistency, trying to have a schedule of when you eat meals and snacks is very helpful. Establishing this pattern will set expectations for your kid and can help make it easier to introduce new foods. Also, you don’t have to introduce new foods every time they eat. Balancing introducing new foods with having meals/snacks that your kid feels comfortable with works best!
Offer options:
Mealtimes can leave parents as well as kids frustrated. Kids may feel frustrated by the lack of control they have over their food. A way to combat this is by offering a few options. I am not suggesting that you spend time making several different meals. I am saying that offering your kid the option between carrots, peas, or another vegetable can help them feel more comfortable and like they have a little more control. This can also help make sure that they are eating a variety of good things.
Get kids involved:
This tip goes along with what I talked about above. Getting kids involved can make the process more fun and also help the kids feel like they have a little more control! This is going to look different for every family! This may look like taking kids to the store with you and having them help pick out different foods. Another option is having kids help in the preparation of the food. This may look like helping to sort the food for a certain meal, making sure that the vegetables are near a cutting board or that cans are near a soup pot. Depending on the kids age, they may also be more involved in the preparation process. This can look like asking them to rinse off certain fruits or vegetables. Possibly even stirring a pot under supervision. Talking with your kids as you go through this process can be helpful as well. Letting them know how and why you are preparing the different foods or commenting on how yummy the food is going to be can help your kid get excited for mealtime!
I hope these tips will help make mealtimes easier, less stressful, and more fun for both you and your kids! Enjoy!
