What to do when your kids refuse to eat the dinner you cooked?

Question

I have three kids.I cook dinner for them almost every night,we rarely eat out.on occasion one of my kids has a little tantrum and refuses to eat ,they say"I don't like that"or I'm not going to eat.well my question is.How do you deal with this at your house?Do you stand firm,and say eat it or don't eat tonight.do you cave in and make them a sandwich?Honestly,I hate dealing with this issue.People with kids only and kind answers only.GOD-bless

Answer 1

A couple of strategies:  they have to eat the number of bites that is the same as their age (if they are 6 years old, they have to eat 6 bites).  Then they stay at the table until others are done - and they don't get a snack, nothing until breakfast.

Another one I have heard of but never tried:  if they don't eat the dinner, they will get it for snack and if they don't eat it then, they get it for breakfast.  A bit mean, I think, but thought I would pass it along.

Don't make a big deal out of it - but don't make them something else!

Answer 2

well before my mom left when i was younger if i said anything  like that she would say "fine if you dont eat what I make you can go to bed hungry!'

Answer 3

My kids eat what's cooked or they don't eat at all.   If they are going to be miserable then they suffer the consequences.  Besides, missing a meal won't hurt them.

They don't get anything till the next meal.

Answer 4

I cook one meal for the family.  They eat what's cooked.  My son used ot be a picky eater, now he'll eat most of anything.  Broc, Spinach, baked beans, turkey tacos, couscous, broiled haddock, asparagus, etc....

He'd sart off and say he didn't like something, I'd tell him to try it...you can't tell me you don't like it if you don't try it.  I know he doesn't like onions, I take his out beofre I add them to the rest, same with mushrooms......

If one of them refuses to eat dinner 'cause they've decided they don't like it tonight, then they don't have supper.  

They won't starve to death....

Answer 5

My kids grow through this every once in a while too.  I simply tell them that they don't have to eat, but they have to wait until everyone else is done and not complain.  If they complain, they go to bed early.  If they don't eat, they're hungry the next morning.  The key thing is not to budge on anything that you decide to do.  When they're hungry they will eat and in the meantime, you are sending them a clear signal that you are going to cook one time and that's it.

Answer 6

If your children refuse to eat what you cooked then that's their choice to go to bed with an empty tummy. You dont want to be a short order cook. If they go to bed hungry next time they might think twice before turning down supper. Plus if they miss dinner they will probably eat a hearty breakfest to make up for it. Dont stress it will be OK  : )

Answer 7

When my kids were little I allowed them to not have to eat one meal of their choice...my daughter always choose Chop Suey. Then when I would serve that they could have a sandwhich. Otherwise they would have to eat what was on their plate, even if it was just a "no thank you" helping.

Answer 8

well i have 2 kids one is 21 months old and one is 6. Occasionally my 21 month old will refuse to eat what i make so i will give him something else. I think its ok until they are a certain age where they can understand "you will eat what i make" lets say if your child is older than three i would say to stand firm and hopefully he or she will just give in and eat what you prepare for your other children. otherwise you probably will be making different dinners every night. good luck

Answer 9

I tell them, "then don't eat it - it makes no difference to me" - they always end up eating it. I don't make special meals for picky eaters - what I make is what's for dinner.

Answer 10

So, you said only people with kids, so please pretend I am my mom while I tell you how she did things:

The rule is, the kids try at least one bite of everything. If they don't like it, they don't have to eat it, but if they want food, they have to make something healthy for themselves (with some adult supervision for safety).

You wouldn't think that missing a meal would be harmful, but when you don't eat, it can make your body "think" that food might not be guaranteed so it will store up nutrients which can cause weight gain and obesity. Odds are one meal won't do this (this is more a problem when people starve themselves to lose weight), but if it happens a lot, who knows.

If your kids usually eat what you prepare, odds are they just genuinely don't like the food made on the occasions when they refuse to eat it. Have them try a bit (taste buds do change) but then let it go. I'm guessing you usually don't eat a lot of foods that you don't like (if you do, then you're a stronger person than I am) and it's kind of unfair to expect different from your kid.

Answer 11

You tell them that they either eat what you cooked or go hungry. If they are old enough they can pour a bowl of cereal or make a sandwich. The rule is that you cook ONE dinner and it's eat that, make your own or starve.

Answer 12

They eat what is cooked or don't eat until the next meal time. It's not a restaurant, they need to be respectful and appreciate that we make dinner every night.

Answer 13

My kids are not forced to eat but they have to sit at the table with us while we eat. If they don't eat then fine.. they get nothing else! nothing later when they say Im hungry. They have went to bed hungry before! Its so hard but you have to be firm or you will be making 3 dinners everynight..no way!!

BUT... If I KNOW my children really don't like soup we are having  I try to have something else with it, they have to take one bite of everything-then they can take or leave it--but get nothing else.

Answer 14

They eat what I cook or they don't eat! I try to make at least one thing they each like so they eat something even if it's just mac & cheese or green beans! I usually make 2 or 3 veggies with whatever I cook! But there are still nights someone goes to bed without food!

Answer 15

They need to have a 'polite bite' & make up the rest of their meal from the other foods on their plates.  If they don't eat enough healthy food, they don't get a treat or snack until their next meal.