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3.5 yr old daughter -- I'm at my wits end! Help.

Crystal - posted on 08/16/2011 ( 7 moms have responded )

369

My daughter is 3.5 yrs old, very smart and very opinionated & stubborn. We've been trying to get her to eat "real food" for a while now. She completely refuses. Of all things she'll try (which i know is good) is broccoli. She'll take little bites. Fine. But when we tell her to take little bites of chicken or pasta, she throws a complete tantrum. We've sent her to bed and nap without lunch and/or dinner a few times. I don't know what else to do. All we're asking is for her to taste it; not forcing her to eat a bunch. I'm worried she's not getting enough nutritious foods for her development. Any suggestions? Things you've tried? I even tried what Supernanny suggested ... not allowing them to leave the table until they take a bite... she sat there all afternoon!!! Stubborn as all get up. Thanks!!!

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Kim - posted on 04/18/2013

I know exactly how you feel....I have twin boys and they won't eat anything but fries and chicken nuggets from McDonald's....And I get really tired of cooking food that they ask for and then not eating it....I also have no clue what to do and I'm at my wits end.

Kim - posted on 04/18/2013

Alyssa - posted on 10/17/2011

What we do is she can choose not to eat the meal we have fixed but that is all she gets to eat until the next meal. Children are very smart. They will not starve themselves. She just has to realize that she will not win this fight.

NAOMI - posted on 08/28/2011

Have you tried growing veggies with her? We have a tiny appartment but have grown a few vegies and herbs in pots. My son loves it and will pick beans etc to eat off of the plant .

Micou - posted on 08/25/2011

Oh I'm right there with you. However, I sometimes tell myself (out loud, depends on location) that I am the Queen and therefore if my boys won't eat what's given then oh well. I find this works, but she'll eat when she realizes that she's really hungry. I also removed all candy and junk so the boys have no other option, but to eat the healthy "candy" like fruits. When she sees her friends eating veggies, fruit, etc., she may even follow suit. I wish you luck & I hope things work out for the best.
Cou

Crystal - posted on 08/25/2011

369

Micou - Thanks for the suggestion... I will have to try that. For home it seems like it would work, but we can never take her out to eat because she won't eat anything but french fries! :(

Micou - posted on 08/25/2011

I sometimes have this problem. My eldest boy is the same age and is a tuna, veggies & fruit boy. My other boy is all meat and he's almost 2. Getting him to eat veggies is tough. We've done all the stuff that you mentioned. I haven't tried this, but my friend purées veggies with fruit and that seems to do the trick. Let me know if this works.