[ProudMommy77]

My three year old DD is being extremely picky about food. It's gotten me frustrated because I don't want to make two meals everytime we sit at the table.

Today at lunch, she decided that she didn't like french toast anymore. But instead of saying anything, she proceeded to cry and cry until we finally just took her away from the table until she calmed down, but she didn't want to try it, and didn't eat lunch. With her not eating lunch, she got more miserable as the afternoon went on (from not eating I expect), and was her normal self after eating a proper dinner.

My worry is that if we're not firm about eating what's offered, she'll learn that she can get whatever she wants to eat by crying, etc. Is this wrong to be doing for a three year old?

[Labhaoise]

I don't really think it's wrong to be firm with a 3year old about food. I agree with you that she might start to think that she can get what she wants by crying. But then again I'm not a mum, so I don't know if I'm right or not.
I had thought though, have you asked her why she doesn't like the foods anymore? if you haven't, it could possibly shed some light on the situation.
Hope that helps, good luck!

[Tracey with 6]

just stay firm, if she doesn't eat whats offered,depending how long till the next meal, she doesn't eat. If it's dinner only give her something basic, like bread and butter.

[Alejandros Mommy]

Annamae can you give her a choice? This worked for me when Alejandro was little. I would give him a choice or 2 things to eat. Then if he didn't want it after I told him it was his choice and that he had to eat it because he made the choice. He tended to eat most of it though it did take a bit. If he chose not to I would leave the food on the table or in the fridge and if he told me he was hungry I would get the food that he chose out. HTH

[vanaden]

When my DD was 3, she ate like a bird!!! She barely ate a thing. She picked over everything. I just kept offering what we were having to her on her plate, same thing as mommy and daddy. If she didn't eat a whole lot, I followed up later on with a healthy snack .(I was worried because she's always been super skinny)
She is almost 5 (in august) and now the kid LOVES to eat! you can't stop her. She is even willing to try new veggies, and does this herself without me pushing.
I think , if you just keep offering it, she'll get the hang of it. If she gets up from the table and won't eat, put the plate in the refridgerator and when she gets hungry later, let her know that's what she will have so she better eat it now!
Hope this helps, good luck!

[ProudMommy77]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Tonight I had a variety of foods on her plate because I know she doesn't like spaghetti (which we were having), and it went well. She picked at it first, but ended up eating the fruit and some of the meat, so that was a bonus.

I asked her about the french toast that she suddenly didn't like, and she said that she tried it, but "it wasn't delicious". Too funny, really.

I like the idea of offering her what we are eating, and one alternate. Perhaps she'll come around like vanaden's DD. I'm hoping!

[MiaCamille]

some kids are just picky eaters, my 7 1/2 year old dd has always been and is still a picky eater, she's never starved herself, she's just like that, she knows it's whats on her plate she doesn't like it then too bad don't eat it.. i never ask her to eat all her plate but atleast make an effort...

[Labhaoise]

glad to hear things went well at dinner. Thats so cute ..."it wasn't delicious" fair enough.. why eat something that isnt delicious