[wendinbill]

My son has turned from such a sweet loving boy, to a crabby, ungrateful, never happy six year old.

He never eats...only wants junk (cereal, pop tarts, yogurt, etc.) I have no problem with yogurt, but asking for it six times a day is a bit much! He refuses to eat ANY dinner that I make...I feel like a short order cook! Argh! He is almost 7 & weighs barely 40 pounds. Should I worry? His ped. says not to worry unless he's losing weight. I need tips on how to get him to eat healthier! I try SO hard to make things that he likes...but one day he likes it, the next day he won't touch it. It's the source of all of our fights!

We just returned from a family vacation full of fun activities (Busch Gardens, water park, putt putt, etc.) and he complained every time we stopped to take a two minute break. We planned so many fun activities, but his constant complaining made the trip not as enjoyable as anticipated.

Any advice?

 

[UnschoolnMa]

We don't control what our kids eat, so if they wanted yogurt and cheese crackers all day that wouldn't be an issue for us. Maybe you could say something like this: "I've noticed that what foods you like and don't like are changing right now. I want to help you find foods that you like that are good for you too! Why don't we make a list of foods that you like, or would like to try?, and then we can go get some of them together."

You might also enlist his help in shopping for a kids cookbook or making one of his own, and then get him involved in cooking (aimed at whatever his skill level would be of course) some of the things he shows interest in. Yogurt can be a base for alot of smoothies with fruit in them, or he could top his yogurt with different dry cereals (cheerios, rice chex). See if he wants to make a new recipe using some of the foods he lists that he likes. Creating something, and enlisting the child's help can stop the power struggle. Choices, choices, choices... they can be a mom's saving grace.

The complaining thing. Honestly, Id take the same approach basically. When one of mine (usually my younger.. girl) is feeling whiny, and naggy I usually ask point blank. "You seem to be kind of angry/upset today. I'd like to have some fun with you today, so what can we do to work this out?" That kind of communication has helped us alot in those instances. Having some options of things he can do when he is ticked off, or feeling moody is nice too. (Take some time for himself in his room, come talk to mom or dad, go turn music up loud and freak dance for a few minutes LOL) When on the go though, I find that discussing it openly and calmly is the best way. I hope this helps a little. Wishing you luck, Kristi