For context, I have a 2.5 year old and a 4 month old (who is thriving on bottles and avocado). And while I’m not a parenting expert, but I do know a thing or two about nutrition and building healthy relationships with food, so here’s what’s working well for our household right now:
I give my toddler candy every day
I’m not exaggerating when I say that my two-year old is obsessed with lollipops. It’s the first thing he asks for in the morning and the last thing he thinks about before bed. In an effort to avoid demonizing sugar, and teach him the importance of variety and balance, he gets to pick a lollipop to enjoy after lunch every day.
I don’t make my kids finish their meals
Instead of forcing the last few bites because it’s the quantity I think he should eat, I ask, “is your belly happy or are you still hungry?” I might playfully encourage him to take another dinosaur bite to see if he’s truly full or simply distracted (as toddlers often are), but he gets to decide when he’s done - not me.
I sometimes skip the veggies
I do my best to ensure a vegetable is available at lunch and dinner, but if there’s resistance to eating it, or even trying it (in the case of something new), I don’t force the issue. I know that giving him access to vegetables and setting an example as someone who eats vegetables consistently is far more important than getting him to “just eat one bite”.
I don’t always make him eat at the table
There are occasions when we sit down as a family to enjoy a meal together and I encourage him to stay seated (even if he’s done eating), but there are an equal number of occasions when I allow him to eat while roaming, or have a “picnic” with his toys. Because it’s more important to me that he eats than follow table manners. Not to mention, I don’t always eat while sitting down, so it seems unfair that I’d ask him to (especially as a tornado toddler who rivals the energizer bunny).
What’s a mealtime habit that works well for your family? I’d love to know in the comments below!
