Dinner Table Battles
Posted: August 31, 2008There is nothing quite as frustrating as a child who refuses to eat during mealtimes. But is this battle really about food ?
I remember hearing about a family meal where a young boy’s parents spent the entire evening trying to reason with him and even tried to force a bite into his mouth. But nothing worked and it only made the dinner miserable for everyone.
What many parents do not understand is that the issue is not about food- it is about control.
A strong willed child often looks for opportunities to take charge and the dinner table is one place where he knows he can win. Parents should refuse to be dragged into such battles.
A simple solution is to simply let the child know that they are expected to eat what is on their plate. If they don’t, warp up the food and serve it to them again the next mealtime..
They will eat when they are hungry, trust me. Children are not going to starve, but they do need to know who is in control.
