How to avoid using food as a reward?
Rewards work best when they suit the occasion and are consistent. Instead of giving sweets in exchan Read More
Should I punish my child for not eating?
Aida Dickinson
2025-08-08 17:29:26
Count answers
: 18
We tried just not giving him anything instead but he basically then does not fall asleep on time and will get up from bed and go and get stuff like bread to eat out of the refrigirator. He basically WILL NOT fall asleep hungry. So: 1. Let him eat whatever he wants for now, and try to 'reason' with him when he is older. Let him go to bed hungry, realizing that he will not go to bed on time but will keep getting up to eat food from the fridge. I have cried during so many dinners in the past 2 years, I just can't take it anymore. We stick to the foods we know he likes, but also try to introduce others.
Frances Schroeder
2025-07-27 23:09:49
Count answers
: 18
I think the human body is brilliantly intelligent and I think no child will ever starve herself. So if for a few days or weeks my child doesn’t want to comply with healthy eating, I’m going to let it go. I may try negotiating some healthy food in with the junk, I may supplement her lack of nutrition with multivitamins for a while, I may try talking to her, share stories about the need for energy to play and be strong. I will try all mindful methods, but I will not make it a violent interaction. I know that my discomfort has more to do with my conditioning to food, and less to do with my child. I will let it go.
Read also
How to crate train a dog that is not food motivated?
First, make sure something else isn’t going on with your dog. Medical illness, pain, gut health, and Read More
Adrien Klein
2025-07-19 06:04:19
Count answers
: 15
We've tried bribes, ignoring, letting him go to bed hungry, involving them in the cooking process, spoon feeding, and nothing seems to work. I know this is pretty common, but it is SUCH an emotive issue isn't it. The 4 year old has a fast metabolism, and I know if he doesn't eat regularly and a decent amount of protein his energy slumps and he flops about all over the place. He has real spikes and dips of energy. Tonight, as usual, they both sat staring at their dinner, and I let myself get proper angry, so withdrawal of TV/WII privilege. FUCK SAKE it's SOOOOOOOOO ANNOYING. And tonight I let myself get proper angry, so withdrawal of TV/WII privilege, bad move on part, unreasonsable as fuck.
Mariano Casper
2025-07-19 04:30:31
Count answers
: 18
Don't put pressure on your child, and don't punish your child for not eating. Although it may turn into a power struggle, a child not eating isn’t a reflection on you. When we put pressure on our little ones it backfires. At mealtime, it creates a toddler or child that simply doesn’t want to eat. We can’t “get” our kids to eat. I want you instead to think about letting your kids eat. You can check out more about the why behind this method in this post. When we think about “letting” we can remind ourselves that it’s not our job to get our kids to eat. Food refusal may happen, and now, let’s talk about what we can do when our child refuses, or just does not seem interested in eating.
Read also
How do I reward myself without using food?
Declare a "slouch" day. Stay in your pajamas, binge-watch a favorite show—whatever feels decadent an Read More
How to train your dog without food?
Wait for your dog to back off from your hand, even just slightly or for a moment. Repeat these three Read More
Elaina Tromp
2025-07-19 03:07:30
Count answers
: 14
Rewarding your child for eating, punishing your child for not eating, or forcing your child to eat can reinforce poor behavior. Besides causing an unpleasant mealtime environment, these behaviors can create a picky eater or result in your child becoming overweight. Forcing children to eat reinforces poor eating habits such as eating when they aren't hungry or cleaning the plate when they're already full. If at all possible, ignore the misbehavior. If poor behavior continues, remove the food calmly without comment until the next mealtime or snack time. The goal is for your child to learn that mealtime is for eating, not playing.