As parents it is our responsibility that our children are healthy, strong, well fed and that they also develop in the best possible way, however there are times when the 'I don't want' of the little ones begins to gain ground especially at mealtime. Perhaps you have heard or seen your parents and friends use the 'primitive' tactics of the little plane, of doing a 'judo key', singing happy birthday, blowing out candles and the like to force the little one to eat. Here we will debunk those myths and delve into respecting your child's needs.
Respect appetite or lack thereof:
If your child has verbalized that he is not hungry, that he doesn't want to eat, the worst thing you can do is force him. He will begin to associate food with a power struggle with food, he will fight a lot more and you will encourage anxiety and frustration beforehand. Don't bribe him with food or toys, don't try to get him to eat at all costs. On the contrary, keep an open communication channel for him to express his desire to eat or satiety, bring him snacks that he can take independently and that do not pose a risk to him.
Make mealtimes a routine!
Try to serve him meals and snacks at the same time, so that he associates food with stability, calmness and a moment of sitting calmly with the family. Make this moment a time of communion with his environment and allow him to be involved in the selection of his menu, include him for example in deciding the dessert or the juice he will drink. Allow him to choose the individual where he will eat or the design of the plate. Make him part of that moment and he will feel more at ease.
If he has a favorite toy that you feel is his attachment toy, 'make up a meal' that includes it. Tell him for example 'today we are going to have lunch with Buzz Lightyear, shall we prepare something for him?', show him scenes of his favorite cartoons or cartoons eating and reinforce the importance of food to grow strong, run fast, play without getting tired.
Everyone at the table!
Whether he eats or not, include him in mealtime. Let him respect the table ritual. Keeping him seated with you will make him see the normality of the activity and perhaps by being exposed and seeing how everyone eats, he will want to be a part of it. Try saying 'look what daddy eats, do you want to try it?' and use that technique to include new foods as well.
Avoid preparing -all the time- a special menu for him if he refused the original food.
This only encourages dislike and can turn him into a crafty or complicated child. Explain to him that a meal is prepared for the whole family, but that he has a voice in asking for and suggesting foods.
Involve him in the shopping as well.
Let him see his food in its original state, marvel at the colors and aromas, help you put away the groceries, are just some of the activities he can participate in that will give him a closer relationship with the food.
Be creative and lead by example.
If the little one sees that you always eat the same thing, that you make gestures of dislike to food or that you don't even dare to try what he eats, you will set off his alarm bells because he will learn from your actions.
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