Picky Eater

you shouldnt feel guilty. Youre the boss, not him, especially at such a troubling age. youre not being a bad parent; he's just being a brat, haha. first, i think you should get rid of all the junk you dont want him eating, besides the pizza and cereal if theres anything else you dont approve of for his diet. throw it away into empty trash bags with him looking on, and if he tries to take it, try to take it back. be strict and consistent! make sure he knows youre serious. if you dont succeed in trying to take it away, let him have it. he'll just eat it anyway. ;) throw away the trash bag(s) IMMEDIATELY after taking the food. not like, in the trash can, but stop by a dumpster somewhere. he's bound to give in to his hunger sometime. reward him with something like his old favorites, like cheese for pizza or maybe some granola bars for the cereal. good luck!!

Personally, I would remove ALL junk food from the house, and even if that meant I had to go without my beloved chocolate and cola for awhile I would do it, just to show my child who is boss... At nine, you would be able to reason with your son, and he is old enough to understand consequences, so I would remove all junk food, and at each meal offer him the food you are eating, and if he refuses to eat it, thats fine, but he has to sit with you at the table until you and your other family members have finished eating. If he won't eat it fine, but then he doesnt eat. I don't think you should feel guilty, as he is old enough to understand whats going on, and knows that if he holds out longer than you then he will get his own way. You need to show him, you are tsronger than him. It is important to instill good nutritional values, and healthy eating habits in your children early, in my opinion. I was a fussy eater myself as a child, so I know you have a hard time ahead, but just try to keep in mind when he complains he is hungry or carries on what he wants, that you are doing this for a good reason, potentially even to save his life... Good Luck. :)

I think your right to offer him good food. If he doesn't eat then you have to watch him like a hawk to make sure he isn't sneaking any, your not a short order cook. He either eats what you make or goes to bed hungry. I would not keep junk food in the house at all. You should not feel any guilt for providing your child with good decent food. He either eats whats on the plate in front of him or he eats nothing. Its not child abuse or mean. How much t.v. is he watching? Cut him back to the bare minimum. The two things together will show him that you mean business and your not going to budge. Be firm and don't allow him any snacks. If he is hungry he can finish the food that is still on his plate.

Do you have any other children? I found with my little girl that the more fuss I made over her eating the more it became a chore and the more she kicked up a fuss about ew foods, I found that inviting her freinds round, as she is an only child did help as when they ate and enjoyed different foods she slowly came round to trying that too. I think if he still refuses to eat anything even after refusing to give him what he asks for then there is no point in starving him as that will create other problems, the best thing though about pizza is there are sucha wide variety of toppings you could still get him to try new things by adding different foods to his pizzas, maybe involving him in making them himself could work, while you are cutting vegetables you could also taste the raw ones while you are chopping away and hop that in time he will follow your example, my daughter loves making pizza and it is amazing what you can get them to eat in a pizza topping, give it a go and se how it works, if you are still having problems then I would ask your doctor to refer you to a pecialist who can help. He has got himself into this habbit though and it is not going to be an overnight thing that he can get over, you will have to give him time and patience. Hope my advice helps and I wish you luck.

I have the same problem! We have actually forced our son to try something (a hamburger) and I thought he was going to vomit. You would have thought that we asked him to cut off an arm the way he was acting. He likes waffles, cereal, corn dogs and pizza so we are basically in the same boat as you. He will eat a few other things like lettuce, carrots and strawberries but most other foods he won't even try. If you find something that works, let me know!!

I wish that I could help you with this problem, but I have the same one. The only difference is mine is the husband who doesn't want to try anything different. I try and try, but he is set in his ways. Now Hunter my 6yr old. He will try it if you ask him to, or just lie and say "you have had that before, you liked it" line. Works almost every time. I cook 2 different things everynight for dinner. If I make spaghetti, I make 2 sauces. One with all the good stuff: capers, onion, spices and seasonings...the other just meat and sauce... Boring...... I will keep checking back to see if you got any advice..Good Luck Indy

Ohh hun..has be always been like this or is it a new thing? if its always been like this its gonan be harder for u to break it but it can be done..you just need some will power and be strong and not give in..I wouldnt buy pizza or cereal anymore for awhile..stick wiht eggs,toast,bagels,etc..and noo more pizza..gaww that would be so hard for me..i need it at least one a week lol lol..but if thats all hes eating..things need ot change hun..what does he eat in school? u dont send pizza everyday i assume..although i know its summer..but he went last year and yrs before..anywho..make what u want to make..and if he doesnt eat..its ok..he wil be back..just make sure its what u had for supper..or lunch whatever..if he sees your putting ur foot down..and u really have to..he wil eventually see this and start eating better..i wish theer was an easier way..but its just what u have to do..and noo its not bad parenting hun..its called great parenting..it maybe be a fight in teh beginning..but it wil be better in the end..i wish u the best luck!