Yes, I will sadly admit, each and every one of my three children are picky eaters. I have no idea how it happened, really.
Noah has never been a particularly good eater, so I will admit that that one was not a surprise. So, when we had Jack and he excitedly embraced solid foods (at the correct time), we were thrilled. As he scarfed down vegetables from the vegetable beef stew I had made one night, I remember thinking, “I have to keep encouraging his good eating, so that he is a better eater than Noah.” And, then years later, I decided that I had somehow encouraged him to become a picky eater, even though I had tried not to.
And then Molly arrived. She also embraced a large variety of food. On a plate with fruit and some green beans, she would devour green beans and ask for more before ever looking at the fruit. She ate everything that we ate — we never made her special meals, we never catered to crazy whims. I congratulated myself on finally getting it right the third time around, as she continued like this for a long time.
Now, suddenly, I realize that the last several months, she does not want to eat the way she did. We offer broccoli, and she says, “Want candy, please.” And, darn it — I *know* I didn’t encourage it this time!
So…do my kids just have a picky eater gene? I have a feeling that if this is true, then I can guess which parent they got it from. And, if that’s true, then at least I can take heart — Eric has become a less picky eater now that he’s in his thirties. So, I guess if I can wait about 25+ years, I’ll have three good eaters again.
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5 comments:
Becca L. said…
I often wonder if we are “forced” to give those pureed veggies early on because we ultimately know deep down some day they are never going to want to eat vegetables again. Thus, we overload them in the beginning to overcompensate.
Take heart, both of my kids are picky and won’t touch a veggie with a 10-foot pole. One way I’ve heard is to “disguise” the veggies by blending them up and adding the to spaghetti sauce.
April 11, 2007 3:52 PM
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Susan said…
they go through phases! just make some rules for yourself and your family and stick to them. we tell the boys that they can’t have seconds of anything until they have eaten firsts of everything. we also given them a *minimum* requirement for things like their veggies. they have gotten to the point where they ask how many and eat that many and don’t complain…..because they know that is how it is! (but don’t let me fool you……it doesn’t mean I don’t work hard at finding ways to get them to eat more…..ranch dressing is my friend! lol!)
April 12, 2007 11:17 AM
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Aldara said…
Oh my boys are the pickiest eaters in the whole wide world….They are so picky that they hardly eat lol…well almost hardly eat. I just have such a hard time with them…but I know they got it from me…as a child I would not eat meat if I saw the tiniest bit of fat on it…and I became an expert in hiding and disposing of unwanted food. I was between 4-7. It was a tough time for me! It will be okay!
hugs
April 12, 2007 9:04 PM
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An Ordinary Mom said…
THANK YOU for posting this! I used to think I did something wrong in creating picky eater #1. Then when child #2 came along I was so excited because he tried everything and loved it. Now he is pickier than the first. I really think there is a picky eater gene!
April 13, 2007 1:25 AM
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Angie said…
Well — let me thank YOU for posting and saying you had the same experience as me. That’s so nice to hear that it isn’t just me!
April 13, 2007 7:49 AM