Those of you with kids...

My niece does NOT like to eat. She can pretty much go the whole day with no food if we didnt force her to eat. And when she eats it has to be junk like McDonalds, mac and cheese, etc. But she never actually finishes a meal. My sister told me her doc said to feed her whatever she wants as long as she eats it. But I find this really frustrating especially since she's 7 years old and were still buying her 5 year old clothes cause shes so skinny. Do any of you parents go through this with your kids??? Im so annoyed right now cause I gave her a bowl of mac and cheese and she wont finish it.

Re: Those of you with kids...

I have a few kids in the family like that, it ISSSSS frustrating, especially when mommy and daddy give in and let them have FRENCH FRIES for breakfast!!!! I know its hard to enforce it, and you have to pick your battles but seriously, its setting the kids up for all kinds of health problems later.

I would be less concerned about 'finishing' the portions, some kids just don't have as big an appetite as others, but if they ARE eating decent food that's ok. Its really hard to mess with a loaner kid's eating habits, by age 7 they're so adamant about what they like/don't like so I say just go with the flow while you're with her!!!

HTH!!!

Re: Those of you with kids...

Mine and DH's nephew was like this. he is getting a little better now. But he will only eat if its junk food.

Re: Those of you with kids...

my 8 year old son has not had a drink of milk since he had a bottle, NOR has he had a vegetable since he was like 4 or 5...

He is the worlds PICKIEST eater... yes... he will eat mcdonalds and pizza WITH EASE, but when it comes to normal foods, I just stick to what he likes.. chicken... rice... spaghetti (without the meatballs) tomatoe soup... hot dogs (I know that's kinda junk)

I just make sure he takes his vitamins and extra calcium vitamins...

BTW-- he got his physical fitness report and he's at 4% BMI... that's BELOW average. He's a skinny kid... but *I* was a skinny kid...

My SIL always tells me all she wanted was chicken nggets when she was a kid and she turned out fine... (She's a fantastic cook)

I understand your frustration, but my ped always told me... not to worry about it for now... Just don't always feed him junk just so he'll eat... which I don't

Re: Those of you with kids...

Both of my kids were the pickiest eaters ..unfortunately I am so Im sure they saw me turn my nose up at things and got to be the same way. It finally got to the point where I was making 3 meals for dinner. so now we have a rule. You must try everything on your plate. if you stil do not like it they may have a sandwhich. It was rough at first. However they now eat way more then they did. Its not perfect but it worked. I cant imagine the frustration for you . Its pretty obvious how much you love your niece. There is also the old theroy of they will not starve them selves and if there is no junk offered they will eventually eat something....that being said who ever came up with that theroy never met my 7 year old lol....I think he would let him self starve befor eating certain things. We now dont really have 'junk' food around my dad is diabetic and a junk food addict so there is tons of fruit which the kids do eat and cheese and crackers...also the 2% string cheese is a good thing to try though. Its got less salt then the normal ones. and yougurt. My kids love the go gurt.

Re: Those of you with kids...

That makes me feel better. I dont wanna force her or punish her because I remember hating to eat too and I was a skinny skinny kid. My babysitter would make me sit at the table, sometimes for hours, until I finished my food. So I wont do that to her. And its hard for me to change anything since I only have her 2 weeks out of the year. SO I try not to let it get to me but I worry like a mother when Im with her! Caroline, she eats JUST Like your son! We stick to what she likes chicken, spaghetti, etc. Pasta with butter is her all time fave. But thats during dinner only. During the day she's sooooo 'busy' she doesnt want anything. Well, I grew out of it so Im gonna try and not let it get to me anymore. Thanks for the advice ladies.

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by Songstress

That makes me feel better. I dont wanna force her or punish her because I remember hating to eat too and I was a skinny skinny kid. My babysitter would make me sit at the table, sometimes for hours, until I finished my food. So I wont do that to her. And its hard for me to change anything since I only have her 2 weeks out of the year. SO I try not to let it get to me but I worry like a mother when Im with her! Caroline, she eats JUST Like your son! We stick to what she likes chicken, spaghetti, etc. Pasta with butter is her all time fave. But thats during dinner only. During the day she's sooooo 'busy' she doesnt want anything. Well, I grew out of it so Im gonna try and not let it get to me anymore. Thanks for the advice ladies.

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With the pasta with butter try putting some parm cheese and peas in it.....

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by kellybean

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Posted by Songstress

That makes me feel better. I dont wanna force her or punish her because I remember hating to eat too and I was a skinny skinny kid. My babysitter would make me sit at the table, sometimes for hours, until I finished my food. So I wont do that to her. And its hard for me to change anything since I only have her 2 weeks out of the year. SO I try not to let it get to me but I worry like a mother when Im with her! Caroline, she eats JUST Like your son! We stick to what she likes chicken, spaghetti, etc. Pasta with butter is her all time fave. But thats during dinner only. During the day she's sooooo 'busy' she doesnt want anything. Well, I grew out of it so Im gonna try and not let it get to me anymore. Thanks for the advice ladies.

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With the pasta with butter try putting some parm cheese and peas in it.....

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She would probably look at me like Im crazy if she saw anything green in there. But the parm idea might work! Thanks!

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by kellybean

Both of my kids were the pickiest eaters ..unfortunately I am so Im sure they saw me turn my nose up at things and got to be the same way. It finally got to the point where I was making 3 meals for dinner. so now we have a rule. You must try everything on your plate. if you stil do not like it they may have a sandwhich. It was rough at first. However they now eat way more then they did. Its not perfect but it worked. I cant imagine the frustration for you . Its pretty obvious how much you love your niece. There is also the old theroy of they will not starve them selves and if there is no junk offered they will eventually eat something....that being said who ever came up with that theroy never met my 7 year old lol....I think he would let him self starve befor eating certain things. We now dont really have 'junk' food around my dad is diabetic and a junk food addict so there is tons of fruit which the kids do eat and cheese and crackers...also the 2% string cheese is a good thing to try though. Its got less salt then the normal ones. and yougurt. My kids love the go gurt.

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Nina is the same way. She would probably let herself starve if we didnt give her some junk. My sisters house is full of junk food. My house on the other hand has NONE. So I had to go to the supermarket just for her and get stuff I dont normally carry here. I should pick up some string cheese she loves that stuff.

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by Songstress

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Posted by kellybean

Both of my kids were the pickiest eaters ..unfortunately I am so Im sure they saw me turn my nose up at things and got to be the same way. It finally got to the point where I was making 3 meals for dinner. so now we have a rule. You must try everything on your plate. if you stil do not like it they may have a sandwhich. It was rough at first. However they now eat way more then they did. Its not perfect but it worked. I cant imagine the frustration for you . Its pretty obvious how much you love your niece. There is also the old theroy of they will not starve them selves and if there is no junk offered they will eventually eat something....that being said who ever came up with that theroy never met my 7 year old lol....I think he would let him self starve befor eating certain things. We now dont really have 'junk' food around my dad is diabetic and a junk food addict so there is tons of fruit which the kids do eat and cheese and crackers...also the 2% string cheese is a good thing to try though. Its got less salt then the normal ones. and yougurt. My kids love the go gurt.

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Nina is the same way. She would probably let herself starve if we didnt give her some junk. My sisters house is full of junk food. My house on the other hand has NONE. So I had to go to the supermarket just for her and get stuff I dont normally carry here. I should pick up some string cheese she loves that stuff.

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We go through more string cheese in a week its absolutely insane.......but its better then alot of things.....and the real fruit ice pops.......again not the best but better then alot!!!! If you saw the size difference between my boys ( robs 5 feet tall 100 pounds Nik is 4 feet tall and 60 pounds) You would think I starve the little guy.... they are both skinny but rob the older one has a large muscular build...husky shirt slim pants and Nik is just a peanut. They are only 20 months a part and its insane. You are such a good caring Aunt!!! Its amazing what you do for your niece!!!

Re: Those of you with kids...

I saw on Oprah once that there was a cookbook - i think from jerry Seinfeld's wife or something

She actually purees vegetables and puts it into food like pureed carrots in hamburgers or something and the kids done even notice!

And Caroline, my niece has not drank milk since her bottle either! My sister makes her eat one grilled cheese sandwhich a day instead and she puts like 5 slices of cheese on it LOL!!

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by Songstress

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Posted by kellybean

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Posted by Songstress

That makes me feel better. I dont wanna force her or punish her because I remember hating to eat too and I was a skinny skinny kid. My babysitter would make me sit at the table, sometimes for hours, until I finished my food. So I wont do that to her. And its hard for me to change anything since I only have her 2 weeks out of the year. SO I try not to let it get to me but I worry like a mother when Im with her! Caroline, she eats JUST Like your son! We stick to what she likes chicken, spaghetti, etc. Pasta with butter is her all time fave. But thats during dinner only. During the day she's sooooo 'busy' she doesnt want anything. Well, I grew out of it so Im gonna try and not let it get to me anymore. Thanks for the advice ladies.

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With the pasta with butter try putting some parm cheese and peas in it.....

---

She would probably look at me like Im crazy if she saw anything green in there. But the parm idea might work! Thanks!

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THATS MY KID.

when he was a toddler thats how I got him to eat vegetables... (mixing them in with his sauce)

doesn't work now... he sees ANYTHING green he's like 'im not eating that'

its a battle EVERY NIGHT with him...

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by What

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Posted by Songstress

She would probably look at me like Im crazy if she saw anything green in there.

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THATS MY KID.

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thats my HUSBAND


(ok, and me too ... sometimes )

Re: Those of you with kids...

My Godson doesn't eat either. He's going to be 8 in October and weighs like 40 pounds. He is soooo skinny. He just doesn't want to eat.

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by PreshusSmurf

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Posted by What

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Posted by Songstress

She would probably look at me like Im crazy if she saw anything green in there.

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THATS MY KID.

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thats my HUSBAND


(ok, and me too ... sometimes )

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Apparently its also our PEG

<---Peg is not amused....

Re: Those of you with kids...

Leeeeeeeeeea souuuuunds like a mooooooooommmmmy !!!




The mommy instinct is coming out!!!!

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by What

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Posted by Songstress

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Posted by kellybean

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Posted by Songstress

That makes me feel better. I dont wanna force her or punish her because I remember hating to eat too and I was a skinny skinny kid. My babysitter would make me sit at the table, sometimes for hours, until I finished my food. So I wont do that to her. And its hard for me to change anything since I only have her 2 weeks out of the year. SO I try not to let it get to me but I worry like a mother when Im with her! Caroline, she eats JUST Like your son! We stick to what she likes chicken, spaghetti, etc. Pasta with butter is her all time fave. But thats during dinner only. During the day she's sooooo 'busy' she doesnt want anything. Well, I grew out of it so Im gonna try and not let it get to me anymore. Thanks for the advice ladies.

---

With the pasta with butter try putting some parm cheese and peas in it.....

---

She would probably look at me like Im crazy if she saw anything green in there. But the parm idea might work! Thanks!

---

THATS MY KID.

when he was a toddler thats how I got him to eat vegetables... (mixing them in with his sauce)

doesn't work now... he sees ANYTHING green he's like 'im not eating that'

its a battle EVERY NIGHT with him...

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I guess I got lucky like that, my kids are good w/ veggies. My 2 boys eat EVERYTHING. My girl on the other hand, is picky- no kind of fish (even tuna), NO SANDWICHES!! Serious, what kid doesn't eat sandwiches- not even PB&J!! Hmmm, I think that might be it. OK, I'm shutting my mouth now, I guess she's not so bad.

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by SylvieB

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Posted by What

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Posted by Songstress

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Posted by kellybean

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Posted by Songstress

That makes me feel better. I dont wanna force her or punish her because I remember hating to eat too and I was a skinny skinny kid. My babysitter would make me sit at the table, sometimes for hours, until I finished my food. So I wont do that to her. And its hard for me to change anything since I only have her 2 weeks out of the year. SO I try not to let it get to me but I worry like a mother when Im with her! Caroline, she eats JUST Like your son! We stick to what she likes chicken, spaghetti, etc. Pasta with butter is her all time fave. But thats during dinner only. During the day she's sooooo 'busy' she doesnt want anything. Well, I grew out of it so Im gonna try and not let it get to me anymore. Thanks for the advice ladies.

---

With the pasta with butter try putting some parm cheese and peas in it.....

---

She would probably look at me like Im crazy if she saw anything green in there. But the parm idea might work! Thanks!

---

THATS MY KID.

when he was a toddler thats how I got him to eat vegetables... (mixing them in with his sauce)

doesn't work now... he sees ANYTHING green he's like 'im not eating that'

its a battle EVERY NIGHT with him...

---

I guess I got lucky like that, my kids are good w/ veggies. My 2 boys eat EVERYTHING. My girl on the other hand, is picky- no kind of fish (even tuna), NO SANDWICHES!! Serious, what kid doesn't eat sandwiches- not even PB&J!! Hmmm, I think that might be it. OK, I'm shutting my mouth now, I guess she's not so bad.

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lucky...

my son couldn't care less for CHOCOLATE..

I mean... WHAT?!

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by AmorPeruano

Leeeeeeeeeea souuuuunds like a mooooooooommmmmy !!!




The mommy instinct is coming out!!!!

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DONNA! ::Slap:: how dare you say something like that?!!


I really love kids I can give back...

Re: Those of you with kids...

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Posted by Songstress

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Posted by AmorPeruano

Leeeeeeeeeea souuuuunds like a mooooooooommmmmy !!!




The mommy instinct is coming out!!!!

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DONNA! ::Slap:: how dare you say something like that?!!


I really love kids I can give back...

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I think those 5 years are gonna come sooner then you think !!