As a parent, I have encountered various food-related challenges, particularly when my children reach the age of three. At this stage, they often adopt a peculiar behavior: they refuse to eat throughout the day, only to demand food incessantly at night. Currently, my three-year-old, whom I affectionately refer to as my little tornado, is actively engaged in this phase.
A Typical Day of Meals
Breakfast
My son wakes me up at the crack of dawn, claiming he’s “starving” with an exaggeratedly sad expression. I groggily shuffle to the kitchen, offering him options like cereal or eggs. His response? A firm “no.” After much negotiation, we compromise on a few pita chips, of which he consumes precisely three.
Lunch
Upon picking him up from preschool, he immediately declares, “I’m starving.” Back home, he requests a chicken patty—cut up, of course—only to cry when it’s not cut to his specifications. He demands corn, which he deems “broken,” and a rice cake, claiming the plate is “too wet.” Eventually, he opts to eat the eggs I had prepared for myself, exclaiming, “Mommy’s food is the best.”
Dinner
After the lunchtime debacle, I decide to take control of dinner. I prepare his favorites without asking for his input. While he manages to eat half a bowl of spaghetti, he finds the carrot sticks “slimy,” the hot dog “sticky,” and the cauliflower “mushy.”
At this point, I wonder when he will eat anything before bedtime. While different parents adopt various strategies, such as the “eat it or starve” approach, I recognize the importance of allowing children to listen to their hunger cues, fostering healthy eating habits. However, if left unchecked, my son might survive on a diet of goldfish and cookies.
When my son skips meals throughout the day, he inevitably finds himself hungry by dinner time. Unfortunately, this leads to a late-night snack request. In the spirit of compromise, I allow him to have a snack after dinner, which often turns into a full meal right before bedtime.
Setting Boundaries
After many nights of chaotic food requests post-bedtime, I realize I must establish some rules. The kitchen will be closed at 8 p.m. This means no food after that hour, even if he claims he’s “starving to death.” I made a mistake with my eldest child, allowing late-night meals to become a norm, but this time I’m determined to stick to my guns.
The kitchen will be closed. All food will be settled in for the night, and I will ensure that my children learn to navigate their hunger in a structured manner. It’s essential they understand that they can’t skip meals and expect to snack all night long. If they go to bed a little hungry, they will be just fine—and perhaps they will actually eat breakfast in the morning.
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Summary
As parents, navigating children’s mealtime preferences can be an exhausting journey. Establishing clear boundaries, like closing the kitchen at a certain hour, can help maintain order and encourage healthy eating habits. Remember that children may go through phases, but with consistent guidelines, they will learn to manage their hunger more effectively.
Keyphrase: kitchen is closed
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