MAKING MEALTIMES ENJOYABLE

Getting your child to sit at the table and take his meal can be a tedious task. here are a few tips on how to make this whole occasion bearable; 

• Set up a predictable routine for mealtimes
• Try to make mealtimes a relaxed and a fun time for your child
• Don’t expect your child to sit for a long time at the table
• Once your meal time has ended, avoid giving your child unhealthy snacks between meals
• Minimize distractions during mealtimes by turning off T.V. or taking the phone off the hook
• Provide your child with a choice of foods to allow for independent decision making
• Introduce one new food at a time in a small amount; for example, offer the new food along with your child’s favorites
• Try to offer a meal with at least one food choice you know your child likes
• Offer child –size portions- which are much smaller than adult portions
• Resist the urge to offer sugary foods or your child will learn to prefer these foods over others
• Don’t expect your child to like a whole lot of foods-let your child make his own decisions on the food he chooses to eat. Forcing your child to eat will only make your child more stubborn and less open to new foods in the future.
• Ignore complains about food and refusals to eat and praise what your child does eat
• Compliment others at the table who are eating and using polite manners.

Adapted from Incredible Years Parenting Programs

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