11-18-2008
Essential Toddler Tips: Coping With The Fussy Eater
Young children can be fussy eaters who refuse to try a new food more than half the time. Approximately half of all young children fit this description, so it is no surprise that food issues are a major cause of parenting stress.
Establishing healthy eating habits is essential to avoid health issues such as eating disorders and obesity later in life. Various approaches can assist your daughter or son accept a wider range of foods. It may be necessary to offer a food to your daughter or son as many as 10 different times before they decide to eat it. The problem is, many moms and dads get frustrated and give up before the fourth or fifth attempt.
Try to make foods fun. Colorful foods such as carrot sticks, apples, raisins, grapes, crackers and cheese sticks can all be fun and healthy choices for your growing toddler. Explain to them that eating good food is important so they’ll grow big and strong, and how it will assist them to run faster and play longer.
Kids learn behaviors from their parents. If you restrict yourself to a small range of foods, your toddler will take notice and mimic your caution. Don’t restrict your toddler’s food variety to only those foods you prefer. It may be that your toddler’s tastes are different to yours, and perhaps you are simply serving them foods they don’t happen to like. Try to set a good example and try a variety of foods in front of your toddler. It might motivate them to do the same.
If your toddler seems healthy and energetic, then they are eating enough. If you are still worried, keep an eye on how much food they actually consume over the day. Kids tend to graze constantly, rather than restrict their eating to three meals a day like adults. You may be surprised how those little handfuls and snacks add up. For further reassurance, check your toddler’s growth and weight charts, or check with your child’s pediatrician.
Try not to worry, and don’t forget, that unless a child is umwell, they will eat. Kids are very good at judging their hunger and fullness signals. Try to stay relaxed about mealtime and offer your toddler a wide variety of foods, and most importantly, don’t forget to set a good example by trying a wide variety of foods yourself. You may discover you and your toddler share a new found favorite food!
Potty training is another area of parenting that seems to cause stress. But it does not have to be
tips for potty training
potty training boys
potty training tips
These articles, although primarily aimed at toilet training boys offer advice and tips that work just as well if you are potty training girls. You’ll soon learn that preparation is the key to success.