Parents of Schoolgoers  Discussion Forum

Rahul is an extremely fussy eater. He picks at his food for hours, and ignores his parents when they demand that he finish fast. Ultimately, after his mother has pleaded and threatened him for long, he finishes a meal, only to repeat the same process at the next mealtime.

If Rahul keeps playing with his food, the right thing for mother to do would be to simply pick up his plate after a reasonable time. He will, no doubt feel hungry in some time. So what does she say when he comes running to her after a couple of hours?

Does mother give Rahul something to eat? The answer is NO.

True, it seems horrifying for any mother to let her child stay hungry, but missing a meal now and then will not cause any harm at all. It will cause some discomfort at the most, but that is it. And when you think about it, it's far better this way than to slap your child or give him a yelling. Yelling may work when a situation requires immediate attention. If Rahul was misbehaving at a gathering he needs to be told in no uncertain terms that he better behave himself or else. But long-term solutions require subtle handling.

What do you do when your child troubles you by not eating food? Share with us!
anandi replied. keep changing the food. dont repeate the food you give today for lunch for another one week. this works with my daughter. Malathi replied. Make food colourful and attractive, like make mini dosas, green/red puris by pureeing spinach/betroot and adding to dough, shape cutlets into animals, etc. anshu replied. Make the food colorful and appealing.Like adding grated carrot/beetroot mixed with dal or potato stuffing and making a paratha out of it.While putting on the childs plate decorate with jam. neera replied. Never force feed. Relate foods with their favourite characters Like spinach with Popeye etc. Lead by example.