The nutritional needs of toddlers

About the time my son turned one, our pediatrician reminded me that because his nutritional needs had decreased, he would start eating less and growing at a slower pace. My son was nicknamed “Bruiser” by the daycare staff, seeing as he was in the 90th percentile in height and weight. He inhaled anything we put on his plate and asked for more. He also would eat two breakfasts–one at home and the other at daycare. We rubbed our hands with glee, anticipating a football scholarship.

Now, at age three, he’s of average height and weight (darn it, we had to start one of those 529 college saving plans), and his eating habits have changed dramatically.

Me: Honey, eat your chicken.
Him: I don’t like chicken. I’ll just have peanut butter and jelly.
Me: That’s nice, but we’re having chicken. Come on, eat it.
Him: I don’t want it.
Me: (thinking–eat the darn chicken already!!!) Here, take a bite (shove bite into his mouth).
Him: (Frowns, and spits it on the plate) Can I have a treat?

The child, in his warped toddler logic, believes that by consuming a molecule of chicken, he is thereby entitled to milkshakes, chocolate, and cookies. I made a vow to myself that I wouldn’t become a short-order cook. I would make dinner and by God, the kids would eat what I served.

This is before I learned what Mommy guilt was. When your child puts on those tear-filled eyes, mouth quivering, saying, “I’m hungry, Mommy”:cry: –sometimes they just won’t eat the chicken. Then you feel like a horrible person :loser: because you are clearly STARVING your child by not making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

I’ve given in once or twice. Usually when I was making something I knew he didn’t care for (spicy foods, usually, like chili). But mostly I’ve stuck to my guns, beaten myself up over sending my child to bed without eating dinner, and then consoled myself by the fact that he still eats two breakfasts. Thank goodness for that! :cheer: