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Our 8 yr old recently adopted son has been refusing to eat what we put in front of him, but we have learned to simply tell him that this is what is for dinner and otherwise he can have a piece of bread. Over the past couple of weeks, he has at least tried new foods (such as lasagna), but prior to that he just assumed he did not like something and would not even try. We do not serve ready meals, but have been serving simple foods, such as mashed potatoes with ground meat cutlets, hot dogs (there is a particular brand that they like - a major one that I probably cannot mention here). They have liked mashed potatoes (with lots of butter) and baby carrots have been popular as well for a veggie. We have also made potato pancaces (Polish style, served with sugar on top) and that was a hit as well. Our son's behavior at dinner table has improved (although he is still picky). His favorite dish is Ramen noodle soup (hey, that is great, it costs like 10 cents!), which he gets once in a while if he has been eating or at least trying other things. So, I guess, my advice is to serve simple dinners. Also, if the child misbehaves (fusses, whines, etc.) at the dinner table they are told that we will not have this kind of behavior at dinner, and they have to go to their room. In general, not just at dinner table, we try to ignore whining and acting up (unless they talk back and escalate) and not paying attention seems to have sent a message and improved behaviors in general.
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