Updated: March 17, 2023
Originally Published: March 17, 2023
As a pediatrician and parent, I never imagined that my 5-year-old son, Jake, could thrive on just a few bites of food daily—mostly cheese, of course. It seems like he’s discovered a magic trick to convert air into energy. Perhaps that’s why he never stops chatting! I often joke that he’s only growing because he drinks milk as if it’s the elixir of life.
Over the years, I’ve tried a myriad of strategies to entice him to eat dinner—pleading, bribing, crying, and even singing his favorite songs. But the truth is, Jake simply doesn’t care about food. Even if his most cherished dessert sits tantalizingly close, if he’s decided against the chicken casserole, it’s a lost cause. You could freeze hell, and he’d still be at the table, stubbornly ignoring the meal in front of him.
Jake possesses an uncanny ability to detect any hidden vegetables—a chopped mushroom in a meat sauce is like a neon sign to him. He knows when I attempt to sneak spinach into pancakes or when tomatoes aren’t blended smooth enough in his pasta. To him, everything is either too spicy, too meaty, or just not cereal enough. If given the chance, he’d happily dine on cereal for every meal, and I occasionally find myself tempted to let him.
His pickiness has driven me to do things I thought I’d never consider. One time, I cut his apple slices into heart shapes because he promised to eat them—and he did! I even resorted to rocking his stuffed bear during lunch to convince him to take a bite of his grilled cheese. Sure, he’s playing me, but hey, he ate the sandwich, right?
At dinner time, he’s indifferent to the idea of growing up or even the effort that went into the meal. I’ve heard the advice: “They can eat what you offer or go hungry.” I always serve the same meals we enjoy, yet I worry he might choose to starve instead of trying a taco.
In a family that relishes cooking and trying new recipes, Jake’s aversion to food can be incredibly frustrating. We spend weekends planning meals and hosting gatherings, only for him to scowl at the beautifully prepared dishes. He seems like an alien in a household full of food enthusiasts.
I know there are parents out there dealing with even pickier eaters, and I would light candles for you if I had the energy left after negotiating with Jake to simply remove his napkin and eat a single bite. We’re working to make mealtime less of a battleground. Recently, he expressed a desire to outgrow his older sibling, which has helped when faced with broccoli. As he matures, he’s becoming more open to trying new things, and I’ve learned that it often takes 10 to 15 attempts for kids to accept a new food. So, I celebrate each small victory when he takes that first bite.
We’ll continue our journey, one bite and one meal at a time, hoping that one day he’ll find joy in joining us at the dinner table—or at least stop making the experience miserable for the rest of us.
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Summary:
In this humorous yet relatable account, Dr. Mia Thompson shares her experiences with her picky eater, Jake, who appears to thrive on minimal food intake. Despite her attempts to entice him with creative strategies, he remains indifferent to dinner, leading to frustrations within their food-loving family. As they navigate mealtime challenges, there’s hope that with patience and persistence, Jake will eventually join in the culinary enjoyment.