if the kids chuck there dinner in the bin

MessyTessie

I'm a fully paid up member of Mean Mums.

I dished the same meal up four times to DS when he suddenly refused to eat veggies one week (he's 2), in fact it wasn't the same meal as I don't like to re-heat food that often but it was the same veggies each time. The picture on his face when he had it for breakfast (usually is favourite meal) was great!

It wasn't easy and I had a difficult day with him but he ate it in the end and he hasn't pulled that trick again on me.

gargoyle

DD isn't expected to eat everything on her plate - I was brought up like that and find it hard to leave food, therefore am overweight because food was tight so am still in that frame of mind. But I do expect her to eat the most of it and I go by what she has eaten rather than the amount. I.e all her vegetables. If not she can't have anything else.

Ophie

My daughter is small... 2 today (ok I'm boring myself now, sorry) but if she starts to store the food in her mouth she is stopped being fed and she gets nothing until the next mealtime whether that be breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Even though my daughter is tiny - in 9 - 12mth clothes and weighs less than 20lbs if she starts messing thats it no food. She is very healthy just a midget no one is worried about her especially the Health Visitor, who tells me she is one of the most healthy looking children she sees.

thriftlady_2

My kids always have a choice at meal times -take it or leave it

I'm in full agreement with everyone else. however, if I'm introducing something new (can't think what off hand as I think we've tried everything) then they are allowed not to like it, and I provide something they do like with it.

lil_me

Nope they don't get anything else. I make them leave the plates on the side and if they are hungry later it's heated and eaten before anything else is given. I don't expect them to eat everything off their plate, they are not nagged for leaving some but if they are still hungry then the meal is there.

morganb

Just remembered the day DS1 took vegetable sandwiches into school one day ... has never messed about with them at dinner time since!

dorry_2

When I was doing my training I used to work on the CAMHS unit for children who suffer mental health problems. I remember sitting with one of the girls who suffered from severe anorexia and it took her 1 hour to drink 5 ml of water. she was about 5 stone and nearlly died a couple of times. I think that once kids start being extremely overpicky with their food, they need to visit one of these wards, just to see where it may end!!

I agree with everyone here, no tea till next meal

hollydays

I have always believed-if a child is not hungry enough to eat a slice of bread and butter- eg but hungry for biscuits etc.then its not hungry. I was never allowed to be picky and also encouraged to try lots of new things.i wouldnt have given them anything else either.

lilac_lady

What age are the children? If they can put the food in the bin I suppose they're not toddlers. It shows a lack of respect for you so you need to deal with it sharpish or they'll move on to control other aspects of your life before you realise it.

ceridwen

I do understand what you are all saying - and, if I had children, would expect them to eat a wide range of different foodstuffs.

Can I please put in a little plea here for vegetarians? I recall overhearing someone the other day saying that one of her children had rejected meat and said she wasnt going to eat any more meat (because it used to be animals) - but she had told the child that "I am not going to stand any nonsense - eat it" or words to that effect and the child did. She was telling someone else this tale - they were agreeing with her. I was personally totally horrified hearing this - as a child has a right to decide to be a vegetarian if they choose to. So can I ask anyone whose child does decide to be vegetarian to PLEASE PLEASE let them be - rather than trying to forcefeed them or con them into eating meat - believe me, they will resent you all the way into adulthood, and then some for it (voice of experience here!!!!!). She is far from the only one I have heard saying similar things - with no regard for the fact that her children are people in their own right (if young ones).

(PS; I am someone who believes strongly in children being brought up with manners and consideration for other people - so often find myself horrified at the bad behaviour people will let their children get away with - as I certainly wouldnt.)