Getting Breakfast Down the Hatch

[NoraVe]

I need some parenting tips on how to get our 2 year old to eat her breakfast at the table.  She is a picky eater anyway but for some reason breakfast is her worst meal of the day.  If I give her finger food (cherios in a bowl) in front of the TV she will eat the whole thing watching Go Diego Go.  If I try to get her to eat at the table it's just a constant battle and she only eats a few bites and then I feel bad and she's hungry again very soon.  We don't eat any other meals in front of the TV and she's fine with lunch and dinner.  It's just like she has a hang up with eating breakfast or something.  Should I just give up and let her wolf down dry cereal in front of the tv?

[NannyB.]

Dec. 30, 2009 at 10:49 AM

She has formed a breakfast time habit of eating in front of the tv, and she doesn't want to change her routine.  I would set her at the table and offer her whatever you want her to eat for breakfast.  If she refuses to eat it, put it in the frig and when she comes to you, saying she is hungry, get it out and offer it to her again.  She gets no other food until she has eaten that breakfast, and the tv is not turned on for her until she eats it.  You have a very strong-willed child on your hands and she is determined to have her way.  It is up to you to see that she doesn't.  She will not starve nor will her health suffer, and when she is hungry enough, she will eat her breakfast.  Don't let yourself be upset; be very calm.  Remember that you have a plan and that you are sticking to it.