Toddler Mealtime: Getting our Toddlers to Eat
We don’t. The end. Next topic.
Totally kidding! Okay… so only partially. The thing is, getting our toddlers to eat is a chore. It is difficult and we have not found the one golden solution to encourage our children to finish everything on their plate. We have tried a multitude of methods and bribes to get them to finish their supper. Some days they work wonderfully, somedays they flop like a freshly caught fish on the shore. But, I will share them all with you in hopes that you may find something that works for your child and improves toddler mealtime! Best of luck and I pray for your patience! Every toddler parent could use some more!
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Have Toddlers Help
My first tip, involve toddlers with the cooking process. If I make something out of a box, I will give Mia the option between two boxes. I will have her help stir and dump things when possible too. When it comes time to eat, she is proud of the part she played in preparing the meal, so she does better at eating it. Of course, there are nights that her helping just isn’t possible, so see the other tips below!
Provide Options
Before we had toddlers, I typically made one main dish and that’s what Cody and I ate. However, now we are running into “I don’t like that!” Even if they ate an entire plate of it last week. So, we have found that providing around 3 different things to eat in a meal has helped our toddlers feel like they have options. Now when Mia says she doesn’t like something I tell her she has to eat the other things on her plate.
The biggest challenge with this is having the time to prepare side dishes to go along with the meal, so I have been trying to keep a lot of easy options in our cabinets and fridge: Canned veggies to pop in the microwave, applesauce, bananas, grapes, strawberries, yogurt, etc. The less time needed to prep, the better.
Don’t like food touching or plates flying? Check out these plates:
Give Bribes
We are not ashamed to admit it, we bribe our children. Some days, it’s the only thing that works and it gets the nutrients they need into their bellies! We have done long term and short term bribes.
Long Term Bribes
Mia is to an age where she is starting to understand working towards a goal, so we created a star chart for her. Every day that she ate well or cleaned her plate (what daycare calls a “happy plate”) she earned a star. After 10 stars, she earned a new toy. Now this was actually a toy we picked up secondhand so it’s not like we were spending a large amount of money on new toys!
Short Term Bribes
Do something for me and I’ll do something for you! What do our kids like the most? Milk. What do we not put on the table right away at suppertime? Milk. They will ask for it about 5 minutes into the meal so we always make sure they have taken a few bites first. If they haven’t, they must eat a bite or two before we get the milk cups. This also applies to candy after supper or some other treat they want that can be provided right away.
Turn off/on Distractions
Now we are really getting into the methods that work only sometimes. Sometimes we end up doing the exact opposite! Maybe we are bad parents for not sticking to a routine, but I really don’t care. I will do what works that night and what makes my life a little less stressful.
Anyways, somedays we find turning the tv on is helpful because while the kids are focused on something else, we can tell them to take a bite or feed them one and they will do it. Sometimes we find the exact opposite is true and we have to shut the tv off until they are done eating.
Other times it isn’t the tv. I’ve read books to them while they’ve ate and sang songs. Mia always wants another book, but I tell her she has to take a bite first!
Spoon Feed Them
Somedays all they want is to sit on Mommy’s lap and have me feed them. Luckily we are growing out of this stage. I like to eat by myself!
We have also had meals where by the end of them, the kids get bored so they are running around the kitchen and we will spoon feed them as they run by. No joke. Something always ends up on the floor, but we also know more of it is ending up in their bellies!
Be Flexible
The most important lesson I am learning in this parenting process is to be flexible. Not just only during meal times, but in just about everything. Yes, somedays and in somethings, it is important to push the routine, but if you don’t make it one time, cut yourself some slack! We are all trying to do our best, even on the days it doesn’t feel like it. So, if some of the food ends up in their bellies its a win! If it doesn’t, we’ll try again tomorrow.
Share below, what are some tips and tricks you have for mealtimes??
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