My kids won't eat

la79al · December 2012

I just need to vent and see if I am alone. My kids are apparently on a hunger strike of some kind. I'm thinking DD1 is so excited about Christmas that eating and sleeping don't matter to her. I'm not sure why DD2 is not eating. They don't drink anything other than water (and not much of that), I offer foods they have liked before and they aren't snacking, they just don't eat. Total consumption for the day? 1/2 chicken patty, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes, and some flour they licked off the table. They'll eat when they're hungry, right?!?!?

lcherian · December 2012

My kids will eat, but I literally have to spoon feed them. My daughter will eat some vegetables, but my son is much pickier. Give them some junk food, and they'll gobble it up though!

To be honest, that doesn't sound like much food for the entire day, especially if they aren't drinking much water either. Have they always been small eaters?

mrsseguin · December 2012

Teacher Clark:
Could they be coming down with something? DD often does this when she is starting to get sick n

I agree with this. There's a few bugs going around now.

sunnyday016 · December 2012

I try to take a very hands-off approach to eating. I provide healthy options, and it's her job to eat it. If she chooses not to, I guess that's her choice. There will always be a next meal (or healthy snack) and with that comes another option to eat.

cpmich · December 2012

Not all kids recognize hunger so no, not all kids eat when hungry. It is a parenting myth.

Mama2TwoBoys · December 2012

Teacher Clark:
Could they be coming down with something? DD often does this when she is starting to get sick n

I agree! That's how I know my kids aren't feeling well.

As PP said, just keep offering healthy snacks & meals, and they'll eat when they need to.

ps- depending on your kids, also maybe watch the pantry a bit closer... my nephew is a pro at very quietly sneaking snacks from cupboards!

cpmich · December 2012

wife07mom09:
cpmich:
Not all kids recognize hunger so no, not all kids eat when hungry. It is a parenting myth.
 
you are wrong. if a child is developmentally delayed or has a medical condition, maybe and even then rarely but yes children will eat when hungry.
dont spoon feed kids or force them to eat. offer healthy options at meals and snacks and then dont worry about it. 

Actually you are wrong. Some feel hunger and some don't. I hope all kids will eat rather than starve from malnutrition but this is different from hunger. I even know adults who also don't recognize hunger. Think of it this way... Have you ever finished a project and realized you are really hungry but hadn't noticed? There are some people whose brains are always like that.

Not saying your child is like that. Just that there are few absolutes in parenting.

juliane2004 · December 2012

sunnyday016:
I try to take a very hands-off approach to eating. I provide healthy options, and it's her job to eat it. If she chooses not to, I guess that's her choice. There will always be a next meal (or healthy snack) and with that comes another option to eat.

This.

It is the parent's responsibility on WHAT, WHEN, and WHERE to feed.

It is the child's responsibility on HOW MUCH and WHETHER to eat.

I have to remember this constantly. I just tried it 100% fully today and it was SUCH a weight off my back.

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