Before having my 5-year-old son, I never imagined a child could thrive on just a handful of bites each day—most of which are snacks like cheese. It’s as if he has discovered a way to convert air into energy. Perhaps that’s why he never seems to stop talking! I suspect he grows mainly because he drinks milk as if he’s from a dairy farm.
I’ve exhausted every tactic to encourage him to eat dinner—pleading, bribing, even the occasional tearful outburst. It’s astonishing how little he cares about food. If he decides against a meal, no incentive, not even his favorite dessert, will persuade him to try it. You could freeze hell over, and he’d still be at the table, napkin draped over his head like a makeshift tent.
He possesses an uncanny ability to detect any hidden ingredients. A single chopped mushroom in his pasta? He’ll spot it from a mile away! My attempts to sneak in vegetables, like spinach in pancakes, are met with immediate rejection. Everything is “too spicy,” “too meaty,” or simply “not enough like cereal.” Honestly, if I let him, he would live on cereal forever.
In my quest to get him to eat, I’ve resorted to actions I once vowed I wouldn’t take. I’ve cut apples into heart shapes to entice him, and once, I even rocked his stuffed animal during lunch just to get him to take a bite of his sandwich. Yes, I know he’s manipulating me, but at least he ate that sandwich—so who’s really winning here? Probably him.
At dinner, he shows no concern about growing or feeling unwell the next morning. He’s entirely indifferent to the effort that goes into preparing each meal, and even the thought of Santa Claus and his elves doesn’t sway him. I’ve heard the advice that kids can eat what’s served or go hungry, but I worry he might choose the latter over something as delicious as tacos.
As a family that enjoys food, his indifference is both perplexing and frustrating. We spend our weekends cooking, experimenting with new recipes, and loving the company of friends and family over a shared meal. Yet, he sits there like a non-food-eating extraterrestrial, glaring at the beautifully plated homemade pasta.
I know there are kids who are pickier, surviving on only a few types of food. If I had the energy left after negotiating with my son, I’d gladly light candles for you parents out there.
We’re working hard to make mealtime less of a battleground and more enjoyable. Recently, he expressed a desire to outgrow his older sibling, which has made him slightly more open to trying broccoli. With time, he’s becoming more willing to taste at least one bite just to keep us quiet. I’ve read that it can take 10 to 15 tries for kids to develop a taste for a new food, so I celebrate every small victory, like when he manages even a single bite.
We’ll continue our efforts, taking it one meal at a time, and holding onto hope that one day he’ll join us in enjoying dinnertime—at the very least, without turning it into a miserable affair for everyone involved. For those in similar situations, this post on Cervical Insemination offers relatable insights. And if you’re looking for helpful resources on family planning, check out Resolve. For those interested in home insemination kits, Make a Mom has reputable options available.
In summary, navigating my son’s aversion to dinnertime is an ongoing challenge filled with creativity and patience. I remain hopeful that, with time, he’ll embrace the joy of mealtime alongside the rest of us.