Headless Man
I have a five year old grandson that doesn't want to eat what is on his plate, even if it's what he wants and likes. He will be the last one at the table and you have to keep telling him to eat, he is not given that much to eat and he says he's hungry before meal time.
9 Answers
mycatsmom
my grandma said little boys don't eat well till they're seven. Sure enough......she said that b/c my brother , when he was 4 and 5 , he would only eat like 1/2 a piece of toast in the morning. Then when he was 7, he really took off with his eating.When he was a teen, he ate us out of house and home. When my step-grandson was in the 5th grade, we took them to a buffet restaurant. He ate a lot of chicken wings, and other food, then a big plate of spaghetti.Then, he made himself a huge hot -fudge sundae type desert with everything on it. And when he was that age, he could eat a whole steak. And about 5 tacos. He was always very skinny. He's 30 now, and has put on a little weight.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 9 | |
robertgrist
Ritual dining 3 square meals a day and all on your plate leads to obesity. However I managed to get by with paper napkins when the grease was thick and the occasion social. Dodging food for a five Y.O. is normal. Learning how you will react to “no” is the game having nothing to do with what’s on their plate. Children test parrents for reactionary responses from birth to….the end of days. Read Developmental Psychology and stop pretending to be in charge…the kid is in charge.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 9 | |
jhharlan
My son’s foster mother worked under the assumption that if they were hungry enough, they would eat or not eat at all. We weren’t allowed down from the table unless we ate. Depends……..
| 10 years ago. Rating: 8 | |
clu
Maybe he does not want people to watch him eat! Offer him a small table or an away spot for himself. I have no idea if this will work but you never know!
| 10 years ago. Rating: 8 | |
Bob/PKB
Since it IS food he likes, maybe he could decide how much goes on his plate, with the understanding that he eats what he asks to be given. As far as nagging him, STOP IT! My son STILL says he'll be contrary JUST because he doesn't want anyone to think (s)he can tell him what to do. Don't give him so much negative attention, and don't focus the meal on him eating. Talk about what happened today, what's going on with family and friends, and any special things coming up. GOOD LUCK!!
| 10 years ago. Rating: 6 | |
itsmee
I don't believe any child should be forced to eat food they don't like. Offer it. Let it be on their plate for awhile. Remove it. Remind them that there will be no desert if they do not eat the string beans or asparagus.
| 10 years ago. Rating: 6 | |
witchway
tabber
Headless Man I love this question, because I love questions about kids, because I love kids. We grown people could learn a lot by really observing children. They possess a natural truth a wisdom that most of us grown ups have long lost. We all know we grown people eat and drink all sorts of things that we know are bad or us. We grown ups mix foods that should not be eaten together. We grown ups smoke, overeat, over drink. Children, on the other hand sensor themselves. They test what their bodies like and can tolerate. We should give them the leeway to learn about food from their own wisdom and experience. The grown ups job is to make sure the food we put before them is healthy. And if they are picky eaters, they are picking from only good food. Kids that are forced to eat everything develop eating disorders, are often obese and sometimes have low self esteem. Good luck. Lolove
| 10 years ago. Rating: 4 | |
terryfossil 1
short answer mate yes ,you are only a few years older than me,,as a child i was taught to eat whatever was put in front of me ,,when i was a child the adults were in charge,,,but you are debating if the child should be in charge,,it is not just about food,,the kid has to earn his strips,then he becomes older enough to make his own mind up..if the ground work has not been done,,,the grown up kid will fall over,,nice talking Randy,,,bye the way ,have you been away for awhile ,,don't think i have seen you around for awhile,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
| 10 years ago. Rating: 3 | |
I hear tell that a waitress told me that I couldn't have any jello if I didn't clean my plate. I had a total melt down. Kicked my feet. Screamed. My mom was furious with the waitress. I had never heard such a thing. I was about 3, I think. I'd still do it. : ) Good luck.
ps: I LOVED vegetables, especially if they were fresh outta the garden.