Great question:)
First, let me prefaCe this by saying that every kid of ours has
been. "picky eater" at some point during the 2-3 age. When we've
discerned that we can now "pick that battle", this has worked well
for us:
1. Start each meal with the most-gross (to them;) item on their
plate.
2. WHEN THEY HAVE EATEN ALL OF THAT, then add the next item, or
next-least-gross item
3. Repeat above
4. If all "courses" of the meal have run smoothly without
complaining, & have been truly eaten (not shoved around the
plate & spread out--ha!) then desert is awarded.
Works like a charm:)
now, if they should choose NOT to finish a "course", no problem:)
no hassles, no fights, no problem... They are welcome to leave the
table. BUT.... They WILL be served that unfinished plate a the next
scheduled snack or meal time;)
again, works wonderfully for us... But that does mean we've had to
suffer through a day or so of that child disliking the policy,
& each child has suffered through being served that unfinished
plate numerous times. I think of it as helping to shape our child's
will, and better now than at 16 & REALLY sturggling;)
hardcore? You bet. Effective? Yep!
PS... It really helps if you know how to cook yummy--nothing is
worse than burned cauliflower -- or so my husband remembers from
HIS childhood & memorable power struggle with Mom;)
PPS... I also "hide" ingredients in food. There are numerous
cookbooks that are based around this -- Deceptively Delicious being
one of them. My kids are curretly chowing down on zucchini &
banana whole wheat muffins (not from her cookbook, I just googled
the ingredients I has onhand).
