
Parenting Preschoolers (3-5) Support Group
This community is focused on the joys, challenges and concerns faced by parents of preschoolers (3 to 5 year olds). The major areas of child development include: physical development, perception and sensory development, communication and language development, cognitive development, emotional development and social development. Join to share your stories and get advice.

Zillah
My 4 year old son will not eat anything. His menu usually consists of cereal or poptarts, hot dogs or chicken nuggets and fries. I said something to his pediatrician, who advised "He'll grow out of it." I tried giving him dinner that I made for him. He screams or I tell him if he isn't hungry to go to bed. He has gone to bed quite a few times without dinner. I've tried different recipes and having him help me prepare dinner. I'm out of ideas, and I don't want to starve my son. HELP!!

deleted_user
I give my kids what they want to eat and I even offer them what we are having. I believe as long they eat it and there is no sweets it is fine.Other wise my kids would starve.As long as he is not overweight he will be fine.Another idea let him go to the grocery store and pick out things he might like to eat.My kids don't drink anything but milk and maybe a little sip of tea once a day.My pediatrician suggested put the food in front of them and if they don't eat let it go.They will let you know when they are hungry.

deleted_user
Try fun shaped cookie cutters. My daughter would not even touch a sandwich until I cut it into the shape of a heart one day. Around the holidays, I get holiday related cutters as well.

deleted_user
oh this is so hard. My 4 yr old is also picky and he goes through stages where he will eat better. I try to give him a variety of food but never force him to eat. I don't just make him whatever he wants because then he'd eat fries all day and no thats not good. I make menues based in what he will eat. I try to make him try everything. As a child my mom fed me whatever I wanted and I became very sick so trying to prevent that here. I also give no sweets if he doesn't eat but will allow him to have fruit since he loves fruit!

deleted_user
Eating has always been an issue in our house too. I can't even get Derrick to eat any fruit which I think is just crazy. All he wants are crackers, pasta (plain), and cheese sandwiches. If he is really adamant about not eating I cut out all snacks and juice. I also have tried to have him "earn" snacks by eating a small portion of a food he usually won't touch. One cup of applesauce equals one cup of Cheez-its. Five sugar snap peas equals one big pretzel rod. Sometimes it works depending on his mood. Cutting things into fun shapes at least gets him to try more things. I've also arranged his food on the plate into pictures like a face or a flower. The worst part of his eating issues is that I sometimes will give in to feeding him if he has basically skipped all other meals that day. I think it is ridiculous to feed a 3 1/2 year old, but he definitely eats alot more when I do. It's not like I want him to eat a lot either. I give my kids small portions. But regardless how he eats he isn't starving so I don't go nuts over it. There are absolutely no eating issues with my nine year old.

deleted_user
Emily is the same way. We always offer her new things but she refuses them. So we do offer her the cereal, poptarts, and oatmel...most kids have a certain meal that they seem to eat more of...or just have one good meal a day. For my 4 year old its breakfast. For my 2 year old its dinner so we just figure out what they like and go with it.

deleted_user
OK so I just went through my cuppards the other day and I was looking to see if I had any sort of food with trans fat in them (trans fat is very bad for you) and the only thinkg at all that I found were hot dogs so they are now out of my house for good. I know little kids love them but unless I can find them with out the trans fat I will not allow then anymore. Be careful and check all of your lables, know what is going into their little bodies.
Join the Conversation
Posts You May Be Interested In
-
theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...