1. “Oh, ‘Suzy’ doesn’t like that.” I am starting off with one that probably makes me the most crazy. I am always so surprised by how often I actually hear this and it is usually at a party when there is a ton of food around.
Why You Shouldn’t Say It: Years ago I was watching Rachael Ray, long before I had kids, and she told this story that has stuck with me… Before she was on TV, she was in the gourmet food industry, and would be giving samples out of a recipe she had made in grocery stores. Kids would often watch interested in what she was doing or handing out, yet, when she offered a sample to them, most parents stepped in saying, “They won’t eat that.” This story perfectly illustrates my point. Always, give your child the opportunity to try something new or try something again. They may surprise you, but more importantly you will be creating an open, inviting, positive environment around a large variety of foods!
Also, try to keep in mind that kids need to try a food at least 10-12 times before you really know if they don’t like something, most of the time they haven’t even come close to that number (See my Basic Strategies for more info on this). Even if they have tried chicken 30 times, it still doesn’t hurt to give it another try. So what if they don’t eat it, no harm no foul. If you don’t want to waste food, just give them a small piece and encourage them to interact with it (touch, smell, taste). By putting something new or non-preferred on their plate, you are sending a message that you are at least hopeful that they will try a bite, instead of instating or reconfirming a dislike towards a food that you probably wish they would eat.
4. “Daddy doesn’t like ‘peas’.” I am not trying to stereotype here, just an example Dad’s, this goes for anyone that is regularly eating with your kids.
5. “What do you want to eat?” Or any litany of specific foods, like, “Do you want bread or cheese or crackers or yogurt, etc.”
Why You Shouldn’t Say It: Parents tend to use this phrase in two instances. First, parents will often go to this when a child is refusing to eat what was originally presented. For instance, you give your kid spaghetti and meatballs and all they do is push it around their plate. You are frustrated and want them to eat something, so you may say, “What do you want to eat?” Not a great idea because you are turning yourself into a short order cook and reinforcing the idea that they don’t have to eat what you have prepared, but can have whatever they want. My Basic Strategies page for a lot more info on this.
Second, parents may ask this when they don’t know what to feed their kid or want to make sure they are going to eat what they make. I don’t like this because it is giving the child way too much control. They are likely to keep themselves very limited, only choosing their favorite foods, and reducing exposure to a larger variety of foods. It also gives them the idea that they are running the ship, which leaves little room for you to encourage a larger variety and/or quantity of food. Instead of asking what they want, give them a choice between 2-3 foods. As children get older, I would let them help get into meal planning and reinforce planning a healthy balanced meal.
This is a do-able list, right? Erasing some of this language from your conversation is an easy fix that will make your kid a better eater in the long run. You will be creating a positive environment that your child feels comfortable, and not pressured, to try new foods in!
Are any of these going to be hard habit for you to break? Have any other phrases you think should be on the list?
Love this list…so helpful and definitely something that I need to share with grandparents—especially number 5!!!!
The best thing I ever did with my kids was adopt a “take it or leave it policy” for meals. They don’t have to eat it but that is all there is. My two year old has her more “particular days” and sometimes will eat a bite or nothing, but she knows that is all there will be and doesn’t fight for more. I always try to put one thing I know they love, one thing I think they might at least try, and one new thing on their plate.
I love that policy! Every parent needs to find their own comfort level with this. In the long run you are laying the foundation for a solid eater or at least helping to avert a picky eater.
Brilliant post. I would add to this constant commands to “eat your vegetables” they soon realise Vegas are something different and it becomes a battle. I never make a fuss about the veges and mine seem as happy eating them as anything else.
Thanks for linking to the Sunday Showcase.
Good list, how do you avoid saying they don’t eat when you have to explain it to doctors in their presence? My son is high functioning autistic and only eats about 5 things, so I have to explain this to his psychologist, pediatrician, therapists, child development specialist, dentist, etc, etc, etc. He’s only 4, I can’t send him out in the hallway alone. I try to avoid saying it, but I have to let them know so I can ask for help. The problem is that they all say he will eat eventually, so don’t worry about it. Argh. I just found this site, so I am going now to read everything I can! 🙂 Thank you for this site!
Oh my gosh Deanna, the doctor is a total exception. I was really referring more to people saying “picky eater” all the time in front of their kids. I know how stressful this is. Hope you find some help here!
Thanks, I just feel like I am ALWAYS telling different doctors, and I KNOW he picks up on it because he repeats it later. Maybe I’ll just write a list of those foods he will eat and hand it to them. 🙂 Thank you again!
I have two autistic kids so deanna i hear ya. One thing i have started is i make one of my boys favorites and a new food. My kids a lot of the distaste is because of texture.
Great post! I definitely fall into the trap of #5. I get really frustrated when my son won’t eat, even when offered several choices, and so often try to have him tell me what he wants. I know I shouldn’t give him that much control, but it is hard to resist!
Thanks! I know, it is hard! It will be hard to break the habit at both, for both of you, but if you do his eating will improve in the long run. Good Luck!
What’s funny is when my now 12 year old was about 3 we were eating pizza at my brothers house. Not many people were eating the sausage and mushroom pizza so my brother turned to my daughter “here this is sausage and mushroom, you LIKE it!!” Before that day she was not a fan of mushrooms, but since then she will eat them! They will never be a favorite of hers, but she won’t turn her nose up at them either. All due to the power of suggestion 😉
Great story, thanks for sharing:) It is so true, at times, we really can shape some of the choices our kids make.
It is amazing how many people say that, but I guess that’s how most of us in our generation were raised. It is so hard to raise kids in our culture without associating food with a reward (balloons).
Thanks so much for adding this to the board (and for the comment), I will be sure to follow it!
This is such a great post. I couldn’t agree more about the “clean your plate” one. I have always thought it was weird that we have this idea kids should eat everything they are given. We had it from a waitress the other day in a restaurant. She said to my not yet three year old son, “i’ll give you two balloons if you finish your food”. Er! What! actually i’d rather he stopped when he’s full.
I’m going to pin this to the Sunday Parenting Party Pinterest board (which we use to pin any great parenting posts not just ones that link up).
I LOVE this. Such great advice. So many times children choose to not eat something because a parent or sibling says “I don’t like this!” and children’s preferences change all the time so to say “Oh she doesn’t like “insert food”” only reinforces her dislike instead of encouraging her to try it again! Great post!
Yes, that is totally right! You totally get it! We really do have a big influence over what our children eat. Thank you for the comment and stopping by!
I am a fan of your blog!
Another great post, thank you for the suggestions. We have a 14mth old and try to expose him to lots of different foods as we don’t want him to become a picky eater. These are great tips for us to keep in mind. Thank you, I recently started following your blog and love pretty much everything you post!
Thank you so much! What a wonderful job you are doing educating yourself so early on, that’s really great.
Two of my favorite pages I follow on facebook posted this and I love it! I’ll be sharing with all my mommy friends. I also want to check out your other pages you suggested!
Welcome! So glad you checked it out! I just fixed the link they should have been in the post, but it is here too…
http://www.yourkidstable.com/p/start-here.html
Such a great post. My 4 year old gets pickier every day and I am at a total loss…no clue what to do. I’m really only guilty of #5 though, but maybe that is making a big impact on him. We had friends over for lunch and not only did he refuse what I made, but he even went to the kitchen and got his own alternatives. A clear case of kid with too much control?
I know it is so challenging! Don’t worry though, it isn’t a lost cause! Make sure you check out my basic strategies (in the navigation bar at the top) to get started. He may have a little too much control, start off my making slow changes and be consistent. You will get there! Let me know how it is going!
Yes! Also, “don’t yuck someone’s yum”!
Absolutely! That’s a great one!
I love the first one! I am pretty sure I’ve said that a few times not even thinking about it! I will have to remember to be more careful in the future! 😉 Great list!
Wonderful!