What happens if your picky-eating child doesnt grow out of it?
What if youre begging a 15-year-old to justtastea green vegetable?
Turning things around when kids are younger is easier.
The kid decideswhetherto eat andhow much(of whats on offerno negotiating or bargaining for something else).
Its helping them connect with their motivation.
If you try tomakethem [eat better], it will backfire.
Rowell suggests a conversation that starts like this: Weve havent really been enjoying mealtimes for a long time.
Acknowledge that things arent working.
A phrase I really like is Were a problem-solving family, and well figure this out.
You dont like it, and I dont like fighting with you about it.
From now on, I will plan and prepare meals.
I will include a food or two at each meal that you generally eat.
I also expect you to show up for dinner on time and hungry.
Dr. Harris acknowledges that there are some seasons when thats harder.
Even if your teen is home late, sit down with the child and share a meal.
There should be no electronics or phones at the table.
Part of the parents leadership role is that everyone gets food they like, Harris says.
Basically, youre addressing everyones preferencestheres something on the table that everyone can eatbut youre not short-order cooking.
Everyone should come to the table hungry.
As the parent youre still holding the line with structure, says Harris.
When a person arrives at a meal they should be appropriately hungry but not famished.
And everyone gets their favorites for the main dish sometimeseven the parents.
Sometimes its shrimp and grits for dad, sometimes its nuggets for the six-year-old or pizza for the teen.
We have pizza nearly every week in our family, says Harris.
Everyone at the table (including you!)
They should experience for themselves that theres enough tasty food available.
Offer forbidden food often enough that it becomes ordinary.
Extreme picky eating goes along with anxiety, says Rowell.
Any of these professionals who does a thorough history to spot red flags could prove helpful.
There are textures I cannot bear.
I have hang-ups about my weight and worry about eating too much bread/pasta/meat/cheese/dessert/whathaveyou.
Fingers crossed he grows out of it by the time hes a teen.
