OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

If DC doesn't like what you made, at what age did you stop offering an alternative? When did you say "This is it" and if they don't like it they don't eat?

*Bet ya can't guess whats going on at my place

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Um, mean mommy confession here:

Since day one.

ETA: Day one of solids, that is. Obviously

Message edited 12/18/2007 8:17:00 PM.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

This goes on here all the time!!!!

I never thought he would end up being so picky!

I usually will make something quick that I know he likes if he won't eat the original meal. I feel bad knowing he didn't eat and I don't want him going to bed hungry!

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

well..DD is only 18 mths but we play this "game" every night....GRRRRR
**interested to hear everyones responses too...

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Still trying to do that to be honest and I say good for you for being strong enough to do that Moe.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

I promise you that they do catch on. Ava didn't want her chicken tonight, so guess what, she had two bites of chicken, two bits of carrots and two mouthfuls of rice. Done. She knows the deal. Yes, you do feel bad on the one hand, but on the other hand, they really do learn the habit of being able to refuse what you make only if you allow them to learn that. I'm not saying it works on every kid, but I truly think that if they are really that hungry, they'll eat it.
At the age that Ava's at, for breakfast and lunch she gets two choices and picks one. For dinner, there's no choice whatsoever.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Posted by prncss

Um, mean mommy confession here:

Since day one.

ETA: Day one of solids, that is. Obviously

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Posted by Moehick

Posted by dawnygirl25

Posted by Moehick

Posted by Tanaholic



I usually will make something quick that I know he likes if he won't eat the original meal. I feel bad knowing he didn't eat and I don't want him going to bed hungry!

See thats what I have been doing but now she only wants the same thing over and over....I finally said Enough Already and she went to bed without eating anything....I feel bad but I am sick of always feeding her the same stuff.

this is what happens here as well....how many nights can she eat chicken nuggets???!

I KNOW! And I have to hear it from both Grandmothers...."She needs to eat other things" No S**T Grandma!

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Message edited 12/18/2007 8:46:31 PM.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

I'm curious as to why alternatives are being offered?

Shouldn't the kids be happy that mom has cooked or offered them food?

Would you do the same thing for your husband? Offer him choices when you cook? Why offer the child a choice?

Are moms taking on the role of a flight stewardess too?

"Would you care for Chicken or Beef?'

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Posted by prncss

Um, mean mommy confession here:

Since day one.

ETA: Day one of solids, that is. Obviously

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

im still trying to tell her no, sometimes i will say then if you don't like it, tough luck but it's hard because i would rather give it to her, than hear scream and throw a freaking tantrum, i know i'm a bad mom

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

DS is 5 and he still does this sometimes. We started the Eat This or nothing when he was about 2. It was hard at first. I felt like the worst mommy ever but he learned his lesson. Now its just small things. Like he really doesn't like mash potatoes so I will make mac and cheese or something but that is it. No other extras. If he won't eat then he must not be hungry and most of the time he will come back to the table and eat an hour later.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

I'm dealing with the same thing....

Julia hates everything lately, the only thing she wants is mac and cheese, cucumber's, and french fries. I'm so sick of making the same things for her all the time. When I make dinner I always give her a plate of what I made and if she doesn't eat it I tell her shes not getting anything else for the night, but when 10:00 comes along shes telling me shes hungry... So I will give her an apple or a banana, thankGod she loves fruit--lol

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Posted by MelToddJulia

I'm dealing with the same thing....

Julia hates everything lately, the only thing she wants is mac and cheese, cucumber's, and french fries. I'm so sick of making the same things for her all the time. When I make dinner I always give her a plate of what I made and if she doesn't eat it I tell her shes not getting anything else for the night, but when 10:00 comes along shes telling me shes hungry... So I will give her an apple or a banana, thankGod she loves fruit--lol

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Since the get-go Ryan only got 1 dinner. He is such a picky eater and it drives me crazy, but I am not a diner, and only make 1 choice for dinner. If he is hungry, he will eat it.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Since Kiera has been able to eat what we eat that is usually the only option that is given to her. The only time I offer her something else is if we're eating something that I know she doesn't like-which isn't too many things. Or if she ate what we're having for dinner at lunch that day. I believe that she should be open to eating what we eat and I never really gave into making her a different meal.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

she gets what she gets. If she doesn't want her dinner and I don't think she ate enough for the day- she can have some fruit and extra millk- but otherwise, if she refuses it, she refusees it, there isn't anything else.
but since she started eating solids I have a group of foods I will not allow DD to have. The reason isn't because these foods are so unhealthy, but b/c they are just like "baby crack"- one taste and she won't want other foods.

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

I'm blessed with a child that will eat/drink ANYTHING but soymilk!!! So I can't say I know what it's like to have a picky eater, BUT knowing me once I knew her likes/dislikes she'd get what she gets. I always make her something for her main meal (she's milk allergic and can't always eat what we are eating) and give her fruit for dessert - once in a while I throw in a teething cookie too,


Sometimes she eats it sometimes she doesn't. If she's not eating, I clean off the tray and offer her fruit. She thankfully always eats the fruit!!

I agree with Rachel in that children very quickly learn that they can manipulate you. At this point you know what she likes and doesn't - if she doesn't eat it too bad. OFfer her fruit after every meal and hopefully she'll at least eat that. THe more you keep cooking things, the more she's going to want you to do that. It will be hard at first, but she will learn in only a few days to eat what she is given or she'll get nothing else.

Good luck

Re: OK at what age did you finally say Enough Is Enough!

Posted by dawnygirl25

Posted by MelToddJulia

I'm dealing with the same thing....

Julia hates everything lately, the only thing she wants is mac and cheese, cucumber's, and french fries. I'm so sick of making the same things for her all the time. When I make dinner I always give her a plate of what I made and if she doesn't eat it I tell her shes not getting anything else for the night, but when 10:00 comes along shes telling me shes hungry... So I will give her an apple or a banana, thankGod she loves fruit--lol

I wind up iving Alyssa a piece of fruit later on too....thankfully, she likes her fruit too.