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! 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:05 am | Viewed 1037 times
Rene Says:
My first child was like that. And for the first year, he ate everything he wasn’t allergic to. Then something happened, he became the Child Who Never Eats. My pediatrician told me something I have always kept in mind. If he refuses to eat what I made him for breakfast, lunch or dinner, do not make a special meal for him. If he doesn’t eat, no snacks. Toddlers are incapapble of starving themselves. Now, at 9, he eats as much as an adult. He’s also not picky.
Right now I have a 2 year old that seems to survive on the stale cheerios she finds lodged in the carpet, completely ignoring the meal I have fixed for her. I really don’t know how she survives, but I’ve been through it before so I know it goes away.
Jill Says:
I’ve been through three picky eater toddlers, and believe me, as growing kids they’re thriving now.
Larissa Says:
Kids, like all animals, have an amazing survival instinct. They won’t let themselves starve to death, and missing a meal now and then won’t kill them, so don’t beat yourself up too much.
Ooh, and I LOVE the new smileys! :starwars:
Did you make that phone call???? :crazyjumping: Spill, spill!
kacey Says:
Well, you could always offer up an apple, or banana or something like that if he really doesn’t like what you fix. But he won’t starve himself. Really. Anyway, don’t get sucked into the short order cook thing, because…well it takes way too much time, it’s irritating, and adult picky eaters annoy me
Tori Says:
Love the new smilies!!!! This one especially makes me giggle hysterically. :confused2:
Suzanne Says:
That’s one of the most difficult parts of parenting because it just goes on for years until they finally stopped being so picky! I’m glad mine aren’t very picky anymore except for my youngest, and even she is starting to get better about it.
Amy K. Says:
I’ve got two picky ones here and they eat opposite foods. :confused: You’re very smart not to be a short order cook…we’re trying to break the habit. Ouch.
Rene Says:
I knew I had sunk to new levels of low as a mother when my 4 year old son asked if he could have a bag of Fritos for breakfast and I said sure.:whistle:
Michelle Says:
You mean Fritos aren’t part of the food pyramid? :confused2:
Dang. Guess I’d better pull Doritos off the menu.
Angel Says:
My 2 year old use to eat any and everything you put in front of her. Now she will eat any and everything that isn’t good for her.I have sent her to bed without eating, heated and reaheated food and made her sit there until she ate it, and put the same food in the fridge and pulled that same plate back out when it was time to eat. Now I dont worry as much. My sister says i’m comando mom
but I told her that if she wanted her kids to be big from eating nothing but cookies and chips that was her buisness.