Christmas Meal for Children

poohzee

Hi, I have a almost 4 year old daughter who doesnt really like food....I have always fed her what we have and she tends to go through a week of not eating then slightly eating for a week or so then back to nothing. So, my question is what can I give her for her Christmas lunch, we are having ham and veg, but I woul dlike just to have one meal - which isnt a chore trying to get her to eat. She has no favourite foods, doesnt like takeaways like macdonalds - so what can i do?

Olliebeak

I would say try not to make it a battle-ground for yourself! cos one thing is for sure, you won't win! Have you tried asking her what she would like to have on her plate? And then don't over-face her with too much.

But to make life easier, don't let her have selection packs/sweets earlier in the day - save anything like that for use as a possible bribe for later in the day.

One year my, then four year old, finicky son got down from the Christmas Lunch table and disappeared into the kitchen. I gave him a few minutes and then followed him to see what he was up to. He was kneeling on the floor with a plain slice of bread, the butter-knife and a jar of mincemeat making himself a mincemeat butty! And what's more, he actually ate it - but I did get him a plate and make him sit at the table with the rest of the family! His meal was divided up between the other two children (one older and one younger) and was soon polished off - much to his dismay! but he was not allowed any sweets later when the others were.

pretz_2

Hiya

My dd is 2 1/2 now and doesnt eat a thing we are currently being referred to specialists but thats another story.

The few things I have found is try giving her a choice between two things so fish or chicken etc this way she has chosen of what she wants to eat and it makes her feel grown up, also I know everyone says this but it is really important DON'T stress about it children have a funny way of picking up on things and using it to their advantage. What I do is give my dd her meal and leave her alone if she hasnt touched it within 30 minutes then it goes in the bin but dont make a deal out of it, also try a reward chart they work wonders and you can spend time with your dd making it together doesnt have to be anything fancy, you'll be surprised what children do for a sticker/smiley face.

hth
pretz

oystercatcher

If you normally give her what you're having then do the same on Christmas Day , it's just another meal either she'll eat it or not it doesn't really matter !
She can have fun with crackers and silly hats etc , if you do things like that. Keep the atmosphere happy, don't make any comment on her food and maybe she will eat it without noticing. If she doesn't just ask if she's had enough and clear away without comment.

The more you fuss about what she eats the more fuss she will make. I'm sure she won't starve on Christmas Day!

If you feel like it maybe arrange her food into a star or a christmas tree shape to make it festive !

Oystercatcher

CRANKY40

I'd ask her what she wants too. I know a lot of people think children should just be given the same as everyone else, but I didn't eat when I was little (my mum cried and took me to the doctors a lot) and even now, sometimes I can sit in front of a plate of food and I couldn't eat it if someone paid me.

I didn't like brussels sprouts or broccoli until I was 24 (I love them now), and I'm still not keen on beef, pork baked beans or cooked peppers. Raw carrots were good when I was little, but I couldn't eat them cooked.

Ds (aged 4) doesn't eat much meat. He likes quorn, and meat free hot dogs and meatballs. He also eats fishfingers. He usually asks for pasta these days, and dips it in a tomato based sauce. He won't eat it if the sauce is poured over the pasta, it has to be seperate. Veg only goes in if I puree it and hide it. Luckily he is quite fond of what he thinks is mashed potato and gravy. He is having meat free sausages and chips for his Christmas dinner.

Mine will only eat a very small selection of sweets and two kinds of crisps too. It's hard when they don't have favourites isn't it? There's nothing to bribe them with. Next door's 2 year old has bigger dinners than my son!

gairlochgal

Don't know if it would suit the style of your meal but one thing that works even now with mine is to make the meal as flexible as possible. Letting everyone help themselves to the amount of meat/veg, add their own gravy if they want, maybe salad/bread. The element of choice lets them feel independent and means they start with an empty plate - easier than feeling defeated right from the outset.

HTH