Coping With The Fussy Eater: Practical Toddler Help
Young kids can be fussy eaters who refuse to try a new food more than half the time. Approximately half of all toddlers fit this description, so it is no wonder that food issues are a major cause of stress for parents.
Establishing healthy eating patterns is essential to avoid problems such as eating disorders and obesity later in life. Various strategies can help your child accept a wider range of foods. It may be necessary to offer a food to your child as many as 10 different times before they choose to eat it. The problem is, many moms and dads get frustrated and give up before the fourth or fifth try.
Try to make foods fun. Colorful foods such as carrot sticks, raisins, apples, grapes, crackers and cheese sticks can all be fun and healthy choices for your growing child. Explain to them that eating good food is vital so they’ll grow big and strong, and how it will help them to run faster and play longer.
Children learn behaviors from their parents. If you restrict yourself to a narrow range of foods, your child will take notice and copy your caution. Don’t limit your child’s food variety to only those foods you prefer. It may be that your child’s tastes are different to yours, and maybe you are simply giving them foods they don’t happen to like. Try to set a good example and try a variety of foods in front of your child. It might motivate them to do the same.
If your child seems healthy and energetic, then they are eating enough. If you are still concerned, keep an eye on how much food they actually consume over the day. Children tend to graze constantly, rather than restrict their eating to three meals a day like adults. You may be surprised how those little handfuls and snacks add up. For further reassurance, check your child’s growth and weight charts, or check with your child’s pediatrician.
Try not to worry, and remember, that unless a child is umwell, they will eat. Children are very good at judging their hunger and fullness signals. Try to stay relaxed about mealtime and offer your child a wide variety of foods, and most importantly, remember to set a good example by trying a wide variety of foods yourself. You may discover you and your daughter or son share a new found favorite food!
Potty training is another area of parenting that seems to cause stress. But it does not have to be
tips for potty training boys
toilet training boys
potty training boys
These articles, although primarily aimed at toilet training boys offer advice and tips that work just as well if you are potty training girls. You’ll soon learn that preparation is the key to success.
Posted on: Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 2:05 am 
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