Picky Eater

Parenting is different for everyone. The stages I find difficult, others find a breeze, and vice versa. Sometimes, I miss the early days (and not just because of the cute-cuddly-mewl'y' stage) of parenthood. Not that having a two-year-old makes me an old-hat veteran at parenting by any means.

I say that I miss the early days because motherhood was seamless at first with Feesh- and part of that may be attributed to the blessing that I got to stay home with her- but nursing felt natural (for us both), she began sleeping through the night at seven weeks, loved naps, and was a pretty happy camper overall. However, we began experiencing some 'terrible two' bumps at around 18 months old. We began working through the periods of night waking, separation anxiety, the occasional tantrum, and of late, picky eating. 

Gone (for now) are the days of eating just about anything put in front of her. 

Hello to the days of demanding only fruit, mozzarella (and don't you dare give her shredded), bunny marshmallows and yogurt. She'll pick occasionally at fish, plain tortillas, and sweet potatoes. And what drives me the most crazy? Cooking a gorgeous, Feesh-friendly dinner for us all and she'll reject it all. WHAT? Those enchiladas totally rocked. And were full of things she usually loves!

When reading books and stories about picky eaters from various bloggy-spots, child psychology experts, and doctors, you come across all kinds of different advice on the subject, some seemingly bogus, some seemingly awesome. Below are some tips we've adopted and are in the midst of working for us:

• Don't force a child to finish her plate, but do require a no-thank you bite. This works for us, and occasionally rarely, Feesh finds that she actually does like the food. And I'm proud to say that after despising avocados since she was 9-months-old, she's actually been asking for it and trying a bite. Still is not crazy about it, but hey! A big step! Which leads me to...
• ...keep trying foods that are rejected at first! It may eventually lead to accepting it. Until then, I continue pureeing the avocados up in our smoothies.
• Make eating fun! We turn sandwiches and cheese slices into fun shapes with cookie cutters, occasionally have toddler buffet, turned baggies into butterflies, and am currently thinking of using some of these ideas. Heck, I want some of that peanut-butter-jelly sushi for myself. 
• Involve your child in the cooking process. Whether Feesh was an infant or an 18-month old, I'd either strap her into her bouncy seat on the counter, or, once she was older, plop her on top of it with me while I prepped food. (Yes, on top of the counter. Mother-of-the-Year Award, here I come.) She's still alive. And she still loves rolling blueberries across the counter and now, dumping measured-by-mom ingredients in the bowl.

But get this: I've stumbled across something truly amazing!! Even better than the things that we've made progress with so far:

A stuffed cat. Yep, a stuffed cat. 

Feesh loves to talk to her animals and pretend that they talk back to her. For example, she'll say hello to one of her stuffed animals, and then change her voice and pretend the animal responds 'Hello, Feesha!' I've now taken advantage of this new development in the kitchen/dining room. Here's how the convo goes:

Me: (very off-the-cuff tone) Feesh, make sure to eat the bran in your cereal, not just the raisins. (I pick one up, eat it, and say, 'mmmmmmm!)

Feesh: No thank you, Mama.

Me: But they make your body happy and healthy! (insert huge grin)

Feesh: (No answer. Continues eating raisins only.)

Me: (Picking up the stuffed cat and changing my voice) Feesh make sure to eat your bran flakes! They make your body happy and healthy! Yummy!

Feesh: (Enthusiastically) Okay, Kitty! MMMM! (Proceeds to eat all her bran flakes.)

Feesh requires that we wrap up each interaction with the cat doing a 'happy dance.' Easy. 

And I'm going to milk it.

I'm thinking enchiladas will be up next. You with me, Kitty?

(I wonder if she's on to my ploy...)

Want some fun reading on eating with kids? Check it out. I found all of them helpful in our journey to growing a child who loves to eat and be in the kitchen.

• Parents Need to Eat, Too by Debbie Koenig
• Weelicious by Catherine McCord
• Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach
• I Like Fruit by Lorena Siminovich (board book)
• I Live Vegetables by Lorena Siminovich (board book)