You’ve probably heard, even from me, that you shouldn’t let your kids dictate what they eat. Don’t be a short-order chef!!!
While that sounds simple, teaching kids to eat right isn’t! And, there are always exceptions to every rule!
© illustrart/DepositPhotosIf you’re unsure about whether or not to give in to your toddler’s feeding demands, here’s what you need to consider before making your decision.
When to Say Yes to Your Child’s Food Requests (Demands?)
1) Your child is generally a good eater and she just has a hankerin’ for something.
2) Grandma likes to indulge your child and she only visits occasionally.
3) It’s the holidays and some other special event.
4) You share menu planning in your house, kind of like a round robin.
5) You’re taking the week “off” from introducing new foods to reduce pressure at meal times. Read more about hitting the “reset” button on interactions around new foods.
When to Say No to Your Child’s Food Requests (Demands?)
If the time doesn’t align with one of the “When to say yes” pointers, ask yourself these questions:
1) Is making food demands a nighly occurrence?
2) Will giving in to your child help her learn something positive, such as her cravings are taken into account from time-to-time? Or, will it teach your child that food is a viable area to exert control?
3) Will giving in to your child’s demands cause too much overload for the cook? If so, the answer is a definite, “no.”
4) Has your child been narrowing his palate lately? If so, then meeting his “demands” will only exacerbate the problem. Consider implementing the Rotation Rule instead.
5) Are siblings copying this demanding behavior?
~Changing the conversation from nutrition to habits.~
(c) Its Not About Nutrition – Read entire story here.