If your children don't eat what you cook for dinner...

Loopy_Girl

Well if she's 5 she's clearly not at the weaning stage of where you have to try a bit if everything to see what they like and not. When my daughter was at weaning then the rule was if she at least tried the new thing I put down and didn't like it then that was okay - at least she tried. Result is that I have a child who will eat anything I put down to her now (except eggs...but she likes french toast - go figure!!! though I don't think she knows it made with eggs!!;) ) and if I try something new then she will try it.

However, at 5 years old it's a different matter. I am assuming that you are just serving up stuff that she has been eating for 3 years or so, so nothing new. Also to use the word she is using is wholly unacceptable.

My advice (and I am no expert!! just a lone parent of a 7 year old!) is when she says that again, smile (that always foxes them!!) and say nothing but lift the plate and calmly throw the food out (I know, not very MSE but needs must) then continue with what you are doing.

If she whines later that she is hungry then again, calmy, explain she could have had her tea. And then just continue like this every time she does it- she'll soon get the message. It seems to be an attention thing here. Not that I am suggesting she is getting no attention, just that kids can be strange sometimes.

She won't starve and I think there's a bit of a 'power' (for want of a better word) struggle going on here and you have to show her that you are the adult, in control and it's your house.

That's just my thoughts obviously.

Mutter_2

Bettyboop wrote: »

Sorry I forgot to tell you the little monkey is 5.

My first question is answered. Age 5.

Betty, you say you are not the best cook. Who says? You I bet. Well stop it.

Big mistake to do yourself down on the cooking front.

Have you ever noticed how TV chefs big themselves up over their dishes?
Just watch Ready,Steady, Cook.
The dishes must be half cooked but see how they "big" themselves up and convince the contestants that what they are eating is great!

Secondly, get little madam into the kitchen and help. She will love it.
Start say with making a pizza.
There are bread mixes in packets. Make the base, then choose the toppings between you. Great for all the family.
When my daughter was 9 or so and had friends over to eat and sleep, we did that.
I'd put bowls of toppings, cheese, tuna, anything. Theye'd help themselves and had great fun making their very own pizza.

As for her saying your food is disgusting?
That is by example!
Either someone else in the family says that, or she has heard that elsewhere to copy.

Try involving her as a start.

Please, let us know how it goes.

(Oh, by the way. My Daughter is 20 and will not touch pizza.)

Zziggi

I'm having a similar problem with my DD (aged 5 too). She is fussy with her food and eats so slowly!! I'm not kidding. The rest of us don't gobble our food down but eat at a normal pace but she will always take ages longer than us. She chews and chews her food. We all sit at the table until everyone has finished but it is getting to the state where we are all left sitting there for absolutely ages. I am beginning to think it is a "power thing" but don't know how to handle it. Tried showing her the clock and saying we will all sit for 5 mins after we have all finished (i.e. giving her 5 mins extra) but she just gets upset about it which stops her eating/slows her down further!

Any suggestions?

Mutter_2

Zziggi wrote: »

I'm having a similar problem with my DD (aged 5 too). She is fussy with her food and eats so slowly!! I'm not kidding. The rest of us don't gobble our food down but eat at a normal pace but she will always take ages longer than us. She chews and chews her food. We all sit at the table until everyone has finished but it is getting to the state where we are all left sitting there for absolutely ages. I am beginning to think it is a "power thing" but don't know how to handle it. Tried showing her the clock and saying we will all sit for 5 mins after we have all finished (i.e. giving her 5 mins extra) but she just gets upset about it which stops her eating/slows her down further!

Any suggestions?

No none.
I love though that you all eat together.

As for Miss Mademoiselle Ziggi. :cool: Try leaving the table and ignoring her.

Zziggi

Mutter wrote: »

No none.
I love though that you all eat together.

As for Miss Mademoiselle Ziggi. :cool: Try leaving the table and ignoring her.

I wish i could, the wailing noise she makes when she's left on her own makes her impossible to ignore!:rolleyes:

Bettyboop

Now I know I'm not alone. We are a family of 4 and no one else has ever said that my cooking was disgusting. Well you can't really count the baby as he can't talk yet : ). Thanks for the brilliant suggestions. I have a feeling she says this because a friend at school does. When this friend doesn't like what her mother has cooked for dinner she is allowed sandwiches and other things even treats!!! My daughter has been around many times and if they don't like what's on the menu they refuse to eat it and have a sandwich instead.

astonsmummy

Bed with no dinner.
DS does it sometimes, he's not rude about it he just says he doesnt want anymore, so I say ''ok but you dont get anything else'' and thats it.
I dont punish him though, sometimes I think maybe he's just not hungry, I know he likes any food I give him and if he truly doesnt like something then he will tell me.

MrsTinks

Zziggi have you had little Zziggi at the doctors to check the reason she's eating so slowly isn't for a medical reason? Always worth ensuring that it's not a medical issue before you decide on how to address it

paul2468

Give your child what she wants.....that was the advice of our doctor...and dont make a big fuss at mealtimes....so when our 4 year old started playing up that is what we did..

manda1205

paul2468 wrote: »

Give your child what she wants.....that was the advice of our doctor...and dont make a big fuss at mealtimes....so when our 4 year old started playing up that is what we did..

So do they live on spaghetti and chips? Cos thats what my daughter would want every night if I let her! :rolleyes:
I agree with not making a fuss but would never let her get her own way.