Dealing With a Finicky Four Year Old Eater
After years of finicky eating, our four year old has really turned the corner over the last couple of months. The last real hurdle for us has been cutting the crust off all things bread — sandwiches, toast, etc. Pretty much no matter what we’ve tried, he’s flat out refused to eat his crusts — until the other night, that is…
Truth be told, the crust cutting was our idea, as he’s more than happy to chow down while leaving a wide margin around the edges so as to avoid any possible ‘crust contact.’ By cutting off the crusts, more of his food ends up in his belly.
But the other night I had an idea… He wanted a piece of toast with peanut butter, so I pulled him aside and promised that if he ate the entire thing, we could make a sign that said “Super Crust Master” and hang it on his door. Guess what? He went for it. He worked his way around the outer edge of his toast nibbling the crust off, and then he went to town on the rest of it. After that, he hopped up, ran for paper, and sat down to make the sign.
Later that evening he pulled me aside and asked if Super Crust Master gets to wear a cape. Too funny.
Get via RSS
This is too funny. And a great idea to get a kid to do what you want without having to resort to nastiness. I prefer trickery over torture any day. Some parents hold the line on their kids because they are too lazy and unimaginative to think of a more balanced solution to everyday issues with children. Kudos to you.
Comment by big booger — Nov 26th 2007 @ 9:14 pmMy 5 year old is extremely picky - no cheese, no sauce, no crust (except on peanut butter toast), no condiments of any sort, and basically anything that he considers “new”. This has been a huge battle for us at supper time. I think I’ll have to try out your idea. Maybe he’d like a cape, too!
Comment by Becky @ boysrulemylif — Dec 17th 2007 @ 9:39 pm