27 Month Old Eatng

Most kids will say something is yucky that they ate 3 days prior! It's just an age thing. My 4yr old still does it and my rule is if he doesn't eat his dinner he doesn't get snack. I at least like him to eat half of everything I put on his plate.
I don't let my kids watch cartoons that late in the day so I really can't help there. Maybe you could let him watch Diego earlier in the day??

Good luck
S.

Hi J.,
I highly recommend that Mom gets (real) tough and take charge of the kid not the kid taking charge of Mom. You need to set some serious rules for your son and soon and then stick to them..meaning be real consistent with your re-training program. First off he needs to learn some manners and some respect for you. You will have to teach him that as you go along instructing him on what approriate words/actions/attitude to have. As an example if he's critical of what's being served let him miss a meal or two and he will learn to be more grateful quite quickly. Secondly you need to turn off the tube or video or whatever it is he's tuned in to. When he pitches his fit he loses watching privleges. Again, you can always cancel dinner (or any other activity) on him a time or two. Unfortunately you're late on your training tactics. Make everything he does that you don't like unproductive for him. He'll catch on real quick to Mom's new way of thinking and when he realizes you are serious about being in charge and that you really do mean what you say you and baby boy will be so much happier. I know that being firm and consistent works every time no matter what you're trying to achieve. Our kids come immediately to the table when called because that's the way we trained them. They don't complain about what's being served because that's the way we trained them. They eat what's being served because...you get the picture. The balls in your court Mom, use your Mom authority to make a better boy out of your little man. Blessings, L.

My 26 month old tells me "I don't like it" to almost everything. He just started this about 2 weeks ago... and says it when I am giving him a drink, snack, bfast/lunch/dinner, trying to dress him, etc. I read that they are expressing their independence and want to do things themselves or pick things out. I started giving him options (2-3) at a time and that seems to help. For example, do you want orange juice or apple juice with your snack? This shirt or that shirt? Good Luck! This is a fun but challenging age!

Oh yes! This is not unusual at all. Just turn the TV off and put him at the table. If he chooses not to eat then he won't eat. Don't play into it.

Now if he carries on at the table, pick him up and put him in his room, no questions, no discussion. If he calms down you bring him back. You may have to do it SEVERAL times but he will get the message.

Good luck!

Assuming your little one will eat and it's just behavior... Give a warning, saying dinner will be in 10 miinutes...5 minutes...etc. Using a timer is fun for kids, too. Can you plan his meal on the half hour? That way he can flex his independence muscles and turn the tv off when Diego is over to come eat. OR eat first, and when he's finished, he can turn the tv on to watch Diego. Timing might be the trick. Good luck!

First off, turn the TV off during dinner......it may be great to entertain him while you're making dinner, but it is a major distraction we battle in our house as well. He may not like it, but he's the kid.

We have little to no tolerance for telling us they don't like a meal. We try to incorporate foods they like into what we plan, but part of being a kid is learning to try new things.

I know, for instance, that neither or my kids like mashed potatoes. Strange. So, I don't make them too often. But, when they're made, there's a little on the plate, and a few bites are expected.

We witnessed something similar a few weeks ago while on vacation with our friends. Their 7 year-old took a bite of her taco (beef) and said, "This is disgusting". So, her dad took it and made her a chicken taco to which she said, "This is disgusting. I want a hot dog". Her dad said no and offered a bologna sandwich. She threw a fit that she didn't want bologna sandwich, told her Dad she hated him, hit him and threw a tantrum in the next room while Mom got out a brand new pack of hot dogs and made her one. She ate 1/2 and threw the rest of the pack away the next day.

Figure out what your rules are and stick to them is my best advice. It's OK to give options in my opinion. Would you prefer chicken or beef tacos tonight? Would you like pasta or kabobs?

Good luck! 2 is a hard age, but 3 is harder, so the sooner you get it under control, the happier you will all be.

Throwing a tantrum is pretty normal at his age so being consistent is always best. That way he knows what to expect and what is expected. Since you know it's a trigger to have him stop watching tv right at dinner time have him stop 1/2 hour before dinner. Also, maybe try having him turn off the tv "like a big boy" so he feels a bit more in control of things.

My kids have been taught when I say it's dinner time they go wash their hands and go to the table. But that just comes from doing and saying the same things every day.

And they of course, don't care for every single meal but that what they get and if they are hungry they will eat. I don't make them eat something I know they absolutely hate but you know what I mean.

I have my daughter turn off the TV long before I start cooking dinner, then I give her a choice between two meals (if not when I start cooking then in the morning), both healthy. She chooses then she helps me cook them. It is never to early to have a child in the kitchen with you stirring or pouring things into a pot :)

Get rid of the t.v completely for a while and especially before dinner.