As I heard a million times before I even had kids, “all kids are different,” I knew with all my heart this statement was true. What I didn’t realize before I had my own child, was how different each week or even day could be with my own child. I am quickly learning what works one day, won’t necessarily work as well the next day. I have found this true with both discipline and eating.

Toddlers I know, are notorious for being picky eaters. I have counseled many parents giving them a list of tips to help with picky eaters. I always provided several options because like I said, “all kids are different.” Now that I am getting the chance to put my own tips into practice I am quickly realizing it is not NEAR as easy as it seems! When I feel like I have one solution that is working really well for us, he throws a new challenge at me!

One piece of advice that DOES work for almost all healthy children, is that your child will not starve themselves. Eventually they WILL eat. This reminder is my saving grace after dinner time when my child’s plate is still full. My mommy instincts immediately worry when he doesn’t eat dinner (even if he has eaten well all day long.) I simply remind myself that it is my responsibility to provide the food, his to eat it. (See my post about the division of responsibility for feeding kids.) This advice keeps me from forcing my child to eat. (Who am I kidding? Can anyone really force their child to eat?) It does allow us to avoid food battles and bribes. But most importantly, it does not turn me into a short order cook by providing something “special” for my toddler.

I do always try to have two foods at each meal that I have seen my child eat before. There is no telling if he will eat them again, but it makes me feel a little better when he choses not to eat. Secondly, I do provide a bedtime snack that is always the same: oatmeal square cereal and blueberries.

I have noticed on nights that he doesn’t eat well, the next morning he never stops eating at breakfast time. One day he ate 4 bowls of oatmeal! This reassures me to not worry when he skips a meal. I know he will make up for it another time.

The important thing to remember as parents is to keep providing healthy food options for your children, eventually they will eat. I promise!