He is 2. He used to be such a good eater always willing to try new things and loving his veggies. NOW he hardly eats at all. Its not that he doesn't like the food, he just doesn't want to sit with us to eat meals and forgets about his snacks. So I made him this nice breakfast of plain yogurt, homemade granola, honey and fresh berries. YUMM. I know he likes this so when he ran away and refused to even try it I held him and forced him to taste it on his tongue. After a big production of trying to wipe it off he came to me and wanted to eat it.. the whole bowl. I have done this 2 more times with other goodies and its working....but I am wondering if this is unhealthy. Am I going to have to put him in thearapy at age 3?
I wouldn't force him... its a normal thing for him to not want to eat. If he doesn't want it I'd just sit it aside and try again later... maybe turn off tv... pick up any toys that might be within view and distracting him. Try sitting him in his high chair and sit it in front of him and eat a meal of your own (I'd use a suction bowl for this LOL)
What your doing is wrong yes. You should NEVER force a child to eat if they dont want to. He is not going to starve himself. If I'm correct in most states what your doing is considered force feeding and is considered child abuse.
I work for a police dept and is not child abuse to force your child to try something new. It is child abuse to let your child starve and get malnourished. My son has autism and is a very picky eater. If I "let" him pick what he ate, he would be over 100 pounds and have high cholesterol. I have "Forced" him to try new foods. If he ends up liking it, COOL, something new to add to the menu. If he still doesn't like it, then he doesn't have to eat it.
Answer by Anonymous at 8:51 AM on Jan. 19, 2009
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