Food decisions

Since mom has been staying we have been trying to expand the food repertoire of both children. On Monday we made home made pizza.

Yes on these pizzas were:

  • Tomato paste
  • Taco cheese
  • Ham
  • Pepperoni
  • Peas
  • And on TT’s only – mushrooms

He tried everything before putting it on the pizza. Everything got the thumbs up.

Then once cooked? Nope. Nothing. Nada. Outright refusal. We then had to persuade him to eat 3/4 of it based on the fact that he had made it himself.

I’ve reached the end of my tether with #1 Son now. Since before he turned two he’s been beyond ridiculously picky about food. It’s been four years.

His sister (who is two) was, I thought, just as picky. But no. She’s just been copying him. I cannot deal anymore.

So we’ve decided that we cannot simply cater to the lowest common denominator anymore, as she is suffering for it.

I’ve had a rule in place for at least the last year, that if you just try the thing on your plate, and you cannot eat it, I will make toast to replace it BUT YOU HAVE TO TRY.

So last night he went to bed both early AND hungry, because he refused to try potage. It was basically just highly blended down slow cooked beef stew with pasta. We had made it into a sauce dammit.

He just had to TRY IT. And he refused. While his sister wolfed it down. Followed by a dessert of oven baked banana, with a topping of natural yoghurt and a shall amount of melted (Hershey) chocolate. No, he didn’t get any.

I’m at the end of my rope. It’s not purely sensory as he eats things of various consistencies.

I also feel guilt because he’s been recently complaining that meals are “boring” but what am I supposed to do?

This morning we had a breakfast treat of chocolate cherry pie. He REFUSED. Then when finally argued into it claimed it made his tongue “minty”. It wasn’t a sour cherry pie, he’s eaten frosted cherry pop tarts and loved them.

He has particularly been grumping about breakfast being boring. But when I actually try and get him out of his rut? Meltdown.

He did have cereal first, so it’s not like he has gone to school hungry – that would be academic suicide – but lord.

I’m just exhausted from the daily battles. If it’s not food, it’s school, if it’s not school it’s some other perceived unfairness.

Can I have booze yet?

Author: Fliss

Wife, mum (of two), yarn-obsessed cat-slave

2 thoughts on “Food decisions”

  1. Fliss, dont beat yourself up, you are doing it right, if, as you say it isnt a sensory thing, you are doing all the right things and eventually it will come right. I’m so glad your Mum is there and helping to provide not just the stimulus of trying new foods, experiences and adventures, but also a united front. Keep up the good work xx

  2. I love TT’s new hair style. She looks like a sophisticated toddler.

    You are quite right. She has been suffering because of her brother’s attitude to food, and it is not fair on her. And not healthy. I am delighted that this is all in the past now.

    Next time N complains that breakfast is boring, ask him what he suggests you prepare for breakfast. If he replies that he does not know, tell him that he is not allowed to criticise unless he can suggest alternatives, because you went to a lot of trouble to make breakfast, and with his wonderful imagination he should be able to provide ideas. If he has a melt down, send him to his room until he is ready to apologise. Tell him that if he insists on having tantrums like a 2-year-old, he will be treated like one. A bit of tough love is worth trying.

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