Some parents are often confused with picky eaters. Fortunately, these ten steps should help them to solve the problem:
1. Don’t think that picky eating is an abnormal condition:
In reality, picky eating is normal among children. This indicates that children already have a sense of individuality. They understand that they have the right to choose and eat anything that they like. Having a sense of independence is good, but parents still need to guide their children.
2. Don’t think that we are doing something wrong:
With their newly developed sense of individuality and independence, parents shouldn’t think that they are making mistake. Picky eating is a way for children to make the yes and no expression. It should be natural for any children to make such a decision.
3. Don’t force children excessively:
If they don’t want to, we shouldn’t for picky eaters to eat something that we want. This will make them associate specific food with something that they dislike. This could make picky eaters even more difficult to persuade and control. Leave the food for ten minutes in front of the children and take it away. Children could eventually see the food as their “property” and they will hate it to see it being taken away.
4. Don’t show frustration and anger:
Parents shouldn’t show both emotions when their children refuse to eat something. This will only reinforce the thought that eating specific food isn’t fun. This will make them hate eating much more. Parents should maintain a neutral tone of voice and pleasant facial expressions. Parents should be calm even if they are frustrated and angry inside.
5. Don’t insist on serving the same kind of food:
If our children refuse eating something, we shouldn’t insist on serving it all the time. Pain could arise from repetitions. It is important to keep trying, but parents should add variety to the menu to keep children excited.
6. Don’t serve heavy liquids or snacks before mealtime:
Milk and other heavy liquids, as well as snack could make children more reluctant to eat something that they originally dislike. It is a common sense to make our children hungry before we persuade them to eat something healthier.
7. Don’t be too concerned with unhealthy food that children are eating:
Some picky eaters could prefer to eat something fatty with minimal nutritional value. Parents should keep trying on adjusting the children’s diet pattern, by adding fruits and veggies.
8. Don’t be too concerned if children eat too little:
If children are hungry, they’ll eat more and if they don’t hungry, they may eat much less. If they eat less today, it is possible that they will eat tomorrow. Parents could make this simple observation to calm themselves.
9. Try to make eating session an exciting experience:
When parents can make eating session something exciting, children will want to participate even more in mealtime sessions and look forward to it.
10. Don’t put picky eaters alongside other picky eaters:
During meal times, it is probably necessary to isolate picky eaters from other children with the same preferences. It is also a good idea to keep children excited by inviting children who habitually eat healthier food.