what do you think of this.....

[aprilgail2]

I agree. We have a hugely picky eater in our DS7, he is required to TRY what I make for dinner. If he doesn't like it he's free to have a bowl of cereal, Easy Mac, a bagel, or whatever else he wants. Even Pediatricians these days tell parents, don't force 'em.

How would we as adults like somebody FORCING us to eat something that we didn't want?

How awful for that child.

I agree! I don't make my daughter eat anything she doesn't like....I make up for the lack of veggies with fruit and vitamins that she does like...I am an adult and no way would I try many many foods that are out there..just the looks of some could make me vomit. One day when I was at work a co-worker was eating tongue...I think it wasa cows tongue..it grossed me out so much I had to hurry to the bathroom because I knew I was goign to vomit just from seeing them eat that!
I don't know what I would say to that fatehr but I am sure whatever came out of my mouth would NOT have been good!

 

[palmtreegirl]

That's crazy!

One time at a friends house, when I was about 6-7 years old, her mom made me drink a huge glass of milk. I told her nicely that I didn't drink milk but she said in this house you do and wouldn't let me get up from the table till I did. Well, I drank it and then puked all over her kitchen floor, not on purpose though. When I got home and told my mom the story, she laughed.

 

[KAMLEM]

I had a co-worker who used to do this to her son except that she wouldn't give him his shoes or coat. I consider that abuse.

 

[belleandthebeast]

Where's the rest of the story?

 

[skiwee1]

Depends on how long the food issues have been going on. I can understand a completely frustrated parent resorting to this out of total desperation. For a first time issue, or one that the parents have helped to create, it's not acceptable. However, it's not abuse.

Why does not eating what someone wants to give you a reason for punishment? I'm 43 y/o and would refuse certain foods. I couldn't imagine being punished for having dislikes different then someone else? The only issues here are the parents issues.

 

[mommy22gurlz]

that poor kid!!~ I completely agree that food wars are just not worth it!! My 6yo will eat ANYTHING you put in front of her but my 13yo has a very limited choice of food she will eat, so if she doesn't like what I make she makes a sandwich or mac and cheese!

That dad definitely has control issues!

 

[skiwee1]

I agree. We have a hugely picky eater in our DS7, he is required to TRY what I make for dinner. If he doesn't like it he's free to have a bowl of cereal, Easy Mac, a bagel, or whatever else he wants. Even Pediatricians these days tell parents, don't force 'em.

How would we as adults like somebody FORCING us to eat something that we didn't want?

How awful for that child.

Your child is "required to try" everything? What does that mean? What happens if he refuses to try even one bite? What do you do? You said you don't force the child so I'm curious how you do this. My DD is 6 and also very picky. I don't even make her try a bite if she doesn't want. No sense in it.

 

[Beth76]

Depends on how long the food issues have been going on. I can understand a completely frustrated parent resorting to this out of total desperation. For a first time issue, or one that the parents have helped to create, it's not acceptable. However, it's not abuse.

I totally disagree! To throw the kid out of the house and not let him back in until he eats? That's insane! I do consider that abuse.

If my son doesn't want to eat, we don't toss him out on his duff, he just doesn't eat. I also don't make him anything else. Sometimes he gets a choice of what do have for dinner and sometimes he has to eat what we eat. Regardless of any past problems he might have throwing him out of the house is just plain cruel. A child will eat when he or she is hungry.

 

[minniecarousel]

There's a guy who shouldn't be a father!!

...the rest of the story, please....

 

[kelleigh1]

(I'm sure I'm about to get flamed.)

I'm not agreeing with how this was handled, but honestly, when we were kids, my parents required us to eat what we were given. There was plenty of stuff that we didn't like, but we were told to eat what was put in front of us because we certainly didn't live in a restaurant and my mother wasn't going to cook 5 different dishes for people. It certainly wasn't child abuse but we were supposed to eat what we were given. No questions asked. As we got older, if we really didn't like something, we didn't have to eat it, but it was then up to us to make something else instead.

I'm not any worse for having been "forced" to eat things I didn't like and I also learned to try all kinds of new things. In fact, I am more likely to try something I've never had and I think it's because of the way I was brought up.

I just find it surprising that so many parents now are saying they won't "force" or even try to get their kids to try something new. It just seems that kids are now running the show.

 

[Beth76]

Your child is "required to try" everything? What does that mean? What happens if he refuses to try even one bite? What do you do? You said you don't force the child so I'm curious how you do this. My DD is 6 and also very picky. I don't even make her try a bite if she doesn't want. No sense in it.

We make my son try everything also. It's really not that difficult. I've never had him refuse to try a bite. I see nothing wrong with this practice. What possible reason would a child have for not even trying something. He has no idea if he'd like it or not.

 

[Aidensmom]

We make my son try everything also. It's really not that difficult. I've never had him refuse to try a bite. I see nothing wrong with this practice. What possible reason would a child have for not even trying something. He has no idea if he'd like it or not.

I agree it is not that hard, my son doesn't refuse to try things either, he just knows it is the rule to try and he does it. And lately, he has aquired tastes for quite a variety of foods that he would not have if we did not ask him to try things.

 

[lulugirl]

(I'm sure I'm about to get flamed.)

I'm not agreeing with how this was handled, but honestly, when we were kids, my parents required us to eat what we were given. There was plenty of stuff that we didn't like, but we were told to eat what was put in front of us because we certainly didn't live in a restaurant and my mother wasn't going to cook 5 different dishes for people. It certainly wasn't child abuse but we were supposed to eat what we were given. No questions asked. As we got older, if we really didn't like something, we didn't have to eat it, but it was then up to us to make something else instead.

I'm not any worse for having been "forced" to eat things I didn't like and I also learned to try all kinds of new things. In fact, I am more likely to try something I've never had and I think it's because of the way I was brought up.

I just find it surprising that so many parents now are saying they won't "force" or even try to get their kids to try something new. It just seems that kids are now running the show.

No flames, I agree that children should at least try whatever has been made for dinner. Very rarely does my Dd refuse to eat or at least try what Dh or I have prepared. If she really doesn't want to eat something I just don't see the point in pushing it, she can make herself a sandwich.
I really don't understand why you would suggest that kids are "running the show" just because parents aren't forcing them to eat something they don't like?

 

[imsorry]

The child did try the food, and said he thought it was too spicy (there was a tomato in the soup). Then he "accicentally" dropped the tomato on the floor because he didn't want it.

I am not the mother or grandmother, who were there also. I was so surprised by the story, my sister and I just looked at each other like this

I didn't want to start an argument at the Christmas table, and honestly don't know if I should interfere. The more responses I read here, the more upset I am becoming.

 

[anut4disney]

My dad mashed a plate of pork & beans in my face because I wouldn't eat them. Safe to say I still don't like pork & beans.

 

[minniecarousel]

(I'm sure I'm about to get flamed.)

I'm not agreeing with how this was handled, but honestly, when we were kids, my parents required us to eat what we were given. There was plenty of stuff that we didn't like, but we were told to eat what was put in front of us because we certainly didn't live in a restaurant and my mother wasn't going to cook 5 different dishes for people. It certainly wasn't child abuse but we were supposed to eat what we were given. No questions asked. As we got older, if we really didn't like something, we didn't have to eat it, but it was then up to us to make something else instead.

I'm not any worse for having been "forced" to eat things I didn't like and I also learned to try all kinds of new things. In fact, I am more likely to try something I've never had and I think it's because of the way I was brought up.

I just find it surprising that so many parents now are saying they won't "force" or even try to get their kids to try something new. It just seems that kids are now running the show.

And you have no issues with food today...you are a proper weight? I think parents from years ago would have the routine of "you're not getting up from the table until you polish your plate" that caused too many adults to have major issues with food. Excusing children from the table w/o eating is not letting kids run the show. Catering to them and preparing different food for them is.

What the parent did in the original post was bad parenting, IMHO!

 

[chell]

That is sad. Why did the dad decide to tell everyone? Did he feel like a big man for doing that to his little son? If it was a one time reaction as someone else suggested I don't think he would have told the family. Sounds like a major jerk to me. Hope the poor little boy doesn't grow up with issues because of him.

 

[Sparx]

Food is something you need to survive. It should not be used as a reward or to punish. That is just child abuse, and will lead to eating disorders later in life.

 

[lulugirl]

The child did try the food, and said he thought it was too spicy (there was a tomato in the soup). Then he "accicentally" dropped the tomato on the floor because he didn't want it.

I am not the mother or grandmother, who were there also. I was so surprised by the story, my sister and I just looked at each other like this

I didn't want to start an argument at the Christmas table, and honestly don't know if I should interfere. The more responses I read here, the more upset I am becoming.

Wow, food issue aside, I fail to see how that can be considered appropiate punishment for any type of naughty behavior. (I'm not suggesting the boy misbehaved, just saying if he did WTH kind of punishment is THAT?)

 

[binny]

my kids needed to try a bite of things when they were very little. We have gotten out of the practice a bit though. Kaylee has shown a real strong preference towards vegatarianism so we dont push the meat issue with her.


That being said I dont cook 5 different meals either. I try to make something in each meal that everyone will eat so they eat whats there or they dont eat. My kids dont go hungry.