Children at the table: the 10 things that annoy us

Children’s meals: how to stay zen

My child prefers small pots

Easy to eat, adapted to their age and their tastes, baby food jars are rather less salty or less sweet than the dishes you prepare. They are made with good quality raw materials, without coloring, and offer very interesting guarantees in vitamins. Some children go through a phase where they only seem to swear by the potties. Rest assured, it will pass to him when he sees the rest of the family feasting on good homemade dishes..

My child only eats if we play

You can fly from time to time, without the kitchen table turning into a parking lot for your small cars. Try to explain to your little one that there is a time for everything : that of the game, that of the bath, that of bedtime … and that of the meal. And empower him: the more you encourage him to be independent (put his cutlery, clear his glass, fold his napkin), the less he will miss his toys.

My child eats with his hands

He confuses mash and plasticine, kneads the contents of his plate before it reaches his mouth? Touching what he is about to eat is quite natural : it’s his way of tasting, of analyzing what he’s going to swallow to see if it’s hot, cold, hard, soft. If he sees how much that annoys you, he might add more just to get your attention. Parades: adopt a plastic-coated school apron, occupy his handcuffs with a spoon, prepare food that he can eat with his fingers (pieces of cheese, fruit, etc.)

My child sorts everything on his plate

This can be a quibble, of course, and in particular to skip green vegetables. But to sort the food on his plate, it is also a way for your child to classify food, and therefore to discover them: the big ones, the small ones, the soft ones, the green ones or the red ones. A fundamental step, even if this little game sometimes annoys you.

I find my child drinks too much water during a meal

No worries. Your child has just associated the meal with drinking water, especially if you always give it from a bottle. Water is good for hydrating your body, so let him drink whenever he wants : before, during or after meals. Prefer still spring water to mineralized water which is used in more specific cases.

My child asks for more and does not finish his plate

Apparently your child has not yet regulated his appetite. He is not very familiar with the feeling of satiety. To help him better control his hunger, feed him meals at regular times, serve small amounts while letting him eat slowly. Do not force him to finish his plate if he tells you that he is no longer hungry, it may not be a whim this time! His body tells him that he has eaten enough. In any case, avoid the formulas “another spoon for mom” because your child does not eat to please you but because he is hungry.

My child only wants pasta

Around 3 years old, your child becomes more and more difficult when it comes to nutrition. He can refuse anything that is new: “It’s not good, I don’t want it”. Specialists speak of “food neophobia”. Hence a considerable attraction for what he knows best: rice and pasta. And yet it is also at this age that children take their eating habits. However, no panic, this behavior is a natural phenomenon. It is a defense reflex, a need to be reassured because growing up is a source of anxiety and above all a way of asserting oneself because it is right in the “no” period. Just as he gets attached to their blanket, they don’t like having their favorite menu messed up. Do not worry. Just because your child eats only ham and pasta repeatedly does not mean that their nutritional balance is threatened. Monitor her growth and weight chart by updating it on her birth record.

My child spits out the food he doesn’t like

Variant: it keeps food in the mouth for hours. These are some of the forms that food neophobia can take. He may have difficulty chewing, especially meat and fish, and refuse chunks – consider separating them from smooth textures, as often mixing is the problem. No worries anyway, all kids do this : the main thing is not to make it an issue of conflict.

My child gorges himself on food

For you, it is clear, he eats way too much and you feel threatened by the specter of obesity. The problem is not so much that he eats less but that he eats better. To do this, combine four real balanced meals a day with physical activity. (It can be practiced on a daily basis. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator when coming home from school). The number 1 enemy remains snacking between meals, followed closely by TV shows.

My child is never hungry during meals.

If they nibble between meals, if they know that you will give them a little dessert so as not to let them go to bed hungry, some children may turn upside down and not touch their plate. To remedy this, try not to give in outside of meals, even if it means cooking his favorite foods to make him want. Let him help himself, and take what suits him. Either way, don’t turn the situation into a showdown.