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Community Corner

How Do You Deal With Fussy Eaters?

We've got some answers from local moms, but what do you think?

Moms Talk is a new feature on Dallas-Hiram Patch that is part of a new initiative to reach out to moms and families.

We invite you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers and their families right here in Paulding County.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

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Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. Do you know of local moms raising their children in the Tiger Mother's way and is it the best way? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children? How do we talk to our children about the Tucson shootings? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks?

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This week, we’ve asked our Moms Council this question:

Have you dealt with a child who was a fussy eater? If so, is there a fix to the problem? Can you teach your kids to eat the healthy foods they don't like at first?

Angie Pruet

In my house, if you don't eat, you'll go hungry until the next meal! With six people in our family, fussy eaters are not allowed! We started early with limited choices (apple or grapes for snack—not apple or grapes or cookie or crackers or...) and they have to try at least one bite of everything on their plate.

Dipping sauces allowed many menus to be customized for each child's taste (ranch, ketchup, honey, tartar, mustard, etc.). The white lie, "Yes you've had this before, you loved it last time!" works well, too. They won't starve to death missing a meal, and if they're hungry enough, they'll eat whatever you put in front of them! Catering to the fussy eater only encourages the behavior. 

Disclaimer—if you are dealing with a child that has food allergies, disregard the above. Being a fussy/picky eater becomes a way of life. Their choices are limited. 

 

Emilie Nobles

Most fussy eaters outgrow it. Try to plan your meals around the healthy foods that they like. I did not fix separate meals for my kids, and I don't do it for my grandkids. My children were encouraged to try at least one bite of something new, and then allowed to say, "No thanks!" When it comes to picky eaters, you really do have to pick your battles.

True story — As a child, my daughter loved fish sticks and very little else. She grew up and married a great guy whose last name is Paul! Yes, she is now officially Mrs. Paul! By the way, she is a great cook, not at all picky, and the mother of three little Pauls and who are all picky eaters!

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