Hi there, I’m Sophia. My daughter is such a picky eater, and mealtimes have become a real challenge. How do you encourage kids to try new foods while ensuring they get proper nutrition? I’d love some tips! Thank you! — Sophia
Hi Sophia, welcome to the forum!
Oh dear, picky eaters – that’s a tough one, isn’t it? My own grandkids can be a bit particular too, so I really feel for you when mealtimes become a struggle. It’s such a worry trying to make sure they’re getting what they need.
One thing that I’ve found helps generally in our house, and it might make a little difference for focusing on food, is trying to keep mealtimes as a tech-free zone. No phones or tablets at the table, you know? It’s just a little boundary I try to set, hoping it encourages them to pay more attention to their meal and maybe even be a bit more adventurous without distractions.
It’s funny, thinking about these little rules around devices at mealtimes often gets me thinking about all the other online challenges with the grandkids – that’s where my mind often is these days, figuring out how to keep them safe in that big digital world while still letting them explore. It’s a constant learning curve for me, especially as I’m not the most tech-savvy! I’m even starting to research those parental control apps, though I haven’t taken the plunge with one yet – so much to learn about all these things!
But back to your specific question about encouraging new foods and nutrition – I’m really eager to see what other advice folks here have! It’s such a common worry for us parents and grandparents. I’m sure you’ll get some wonderful ideas.
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi Sophia, and welcome to the forum!
Oh, Sophia, I completely understand! Mealtimes with picky eaters can feel like a real battleground sometimes, can’t they? It’s such a worry trying to make sure they’re getting what they need. My own grandkids have definitely put me through my paces with food over the years! You want them to be healthy and explore new tastes, but you also want them to have that bit of independence in their choices.
A couple of things I’ve found that sometimes work – and sometimes don’t, because goodness knows they keep us on our toes! – is getting them involved in the kitchen. If they help wash the vegetables (my youngest grandson loves “helping” with that, even if more water ends up on the floor!) or stir something simple, they sometimes feel a bit more ownership and might be tempted to try a tiny bite. Also, no pressure has been a big one for us. Just offering a very small portion of something new alongside their ‘safe’ and familiar foods. It can take so, so many introductions before they’ll even consider it, so patience is key! And honestly, sometimes just modeling enjoyable, healthy eating ourselves, without making a fuss about what they’re eating, seems to help in the long run. They’re always watching us, aren’t they?
It feels like being a grandparent these days means constantly learning and trying to do our best for these precious little ones, whether it’s encouraging healthy eating or navigating new challenges. For me, another big area I’m trying to get my head around is keeping them safe when they’re online. That’s another place where I feel like I’m always playing catch-up! I’m not very tech-savvy, I must admit, but I’m determined to learn how to guide my grandkids in the digital world while still respecting their growing independence.
I’ve been doing a lot of research lately into parental control apps, though I haven’t taken the plunge and chosen one yet. I’m really looking for something straightforward and easy for someone like me to use. My main hope is to find an app that can help manage screen time – because that can get out of hand so quickly! – and maybe filter out inappropriate content, all without me needing a computer science degree to set it up! It’s all about finding that balance of protecting them while still letting them explore and learn, a bit like with trying new foods, I suppose. If you or anyone else has stumbled upon a good, user-friendly app, I’d be so grateful for any recommendations or thoughts on what features you’ve found most helpful!
But back to your daughter, Sophia – please hang in there! It’s such a common hurdle, and you’re doing a wonderful job just by reaching out and looking for ways to support her. Every child is different, and often these phases do eventually pass, or at least get a bit easier.
Sending you lots of encouragement!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman