One way to get your toddler to eat breakfast

November 18, 2008 | Filed in: Contest, Little Monkeys, Pictures, Reader Appreciation

PICTURE REMOVED

Carson has started eating breakfast while standing on an empty tote at the kitchen counter. Sure it’s a pain in the rump to clean up, but I DON’T CARE. I’m just happy that he’s eating.

Thank you all so much for all the truly useful advice you all offered me a few weeks ago concerning Carson’s dismal eating habits. I’ve definitely cut down on milk and snacks, and have tried to be all, “Oh I don’t care what you eat! Fine with me if all you have all day is one cheerio and two sips of water! Noooo problem! It’s fine, really. Fine!”

His eating IS getting better. Baby steps, baby steps.

******************************

Today’s Reader Appreciation giveway comes from Sassafras, which sells all kinds of gourmet housewares, baking kits, and children’s toys and accessories!

Sassafras is offering one lucky winner a kid’s pizza making kit! This would be a great Christmas gift for your budding chef! And what a terrific way to get your kids’ involved in the kitchen!

To enter, just leave a comment on this post and cross your fingers that you’re the big winner!

Comments will be closed on this entry at 7 AM, EST, November 20, 2008.

Bonus!!! Sassafras is also offering 10% off of all orders for YOU, my readers, with the code PLAYGROUP!!

Comments closed!!! Thanks for playing everyone!

I’ve come to the realization that they really won’t starve themselves so I’ve given up the fight to get them to eat. Now if I could only get my DH to do the same.

supermommy´s lastest post..With Much Appreciation

Yup. They will eat, eventually. It won’t be as much as you would like as soon as you would like but he will eat. When our sons went through that phase, we told them they could not do anything while WE ate. They couldn’t play or do videos or watch TV. Until we were done. Their mealtime soon synced up with ours.

lceel´s lastest post..SWMBO’s birthday bash

You can totally ignore this assvice, I just hope it doesn’t make you mad, because that’s truly not the spirit in which it was intended. It’s just that I’ve been through more stages than you have, and I think there’s a good chance you’re going to regret this one. I would highly recommend you rethink your stand. As long as you’re doing the great job of ‘not caring’ what he eats and letting it all be in his control, I would enforce the good manners rule. Sitting down at the table, etc. Not requiring those kind of things can seem like a good idea at the time, but you’re still sending the message that ‘I’ll let you do anything, as long as you eat’.

Mom24@4evermom´s lastest post..If you pray…

We do what we have to, don’t we?

I would never blog about it. But I still occasionally spoon feed my children.

We do what we have to. Great pictures.

OHmommy´s lastest post..O’s Favorite Things

Kids are funny creatures. They know to eat when they are hungry…how did I lose that ability?

mapsgirl´s lastest post..bloglines 0 google reader 1

It’s just a stage….I’m like you, do whatever it takes. He’s now appreciating the ketchup smiley faces and the dinosaur sandwiches (found an awesome sandwich cutter at Walmart for $1).

Half the time his lunch sits on the table all day and he’ll snack on it all afternoon (so will the fruit flies).

I just love your camera. I realize that is so not the point of this post, but I do just love the clarity. *sigh & green with envy*

Glad he’s eating.

Heidi´s lastest post..Damn it Dora!

@Mom24, I don’t think it’s bad manners to stand in the kitchen to eat. In our last house we had a bar that he’d like to sit at to eat. In this rental, we don’t have that, so I improvised with the tote so that he could “eat up at the bar.”

I appreciate your advice, but I disagree that this is bad manners. I also don’t think that I’m taking the stand that “I’ll let you do anything as long as you eat.”

Hope the eating gets better soon. My philosphy is really do whatever works for you!

wright´s lastest post..Rut

I dread mealtimes soooo much! When you last wrote about this…I had one toddler that ate sporadically and one that ate everything on her plate. Now both of them are on a hunger strike!

Connie @ Young and Relentless´s lastest post..Sad, Mad, Glad…

Oh, how the pendulum swings. I’m now struggling to get my kids to STOP eating. I had to outlaw special treats like Cheetos, Ritz Bits, etc because they simply could not control themselves and would eat the whole box the first two days after I bought them.

I now try to keep only “healthy” snacks around so that when they sneak out at 6am to get food (oh yes they do), they’re at least sneaking healthy food.
all things BD´s lastest post..Safe and Well

I write this as my child is eating a banana and toast (in a baggie) with juice while sitting in her bed. It’s how she eats breakfast every morning. How do I get her to eat the rest of her meals? By putting the food in a zip lock bag. I’m not sure why it works it just does! As for manners when she actually sits at the table to eat amongst “real people” well they’re just fine!

Momma Mac´s lastest post..My Nakie Baby

My kids love to make pizza. They BAM! it like Emeril.

Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I swear that if I so much as make eye contact when Alexis is trying something new or eating something “questionable,” she will stop instantly. It’s all about not having a Care Face, even when you have a kid who will eat most anything.

Burgh Baby´s lastest post..Splish Jump Score

if my three year old would eat while suspended from the rafters by the toenails, and even if she washed everything down with a bottle of syrup i would let her if it meant more than 5 bites a day. so i feel your pain.
my baby on the other hand would eat all day if he could. especially my boobs could produce floor cheerios. that would be heaven!

britt´s lastest post..an open letter to those who wish to have skype sex with me

Oooh yum! *G*

Sarah´s lastest post..The Death of Santa

Whatever works to get him to eat is all that matters. Dirty totes aside.

I’m on a giveaway dry spell..I haven’t won anything in a good 9 months, maybe longer. Crossing my fingers on this one.

Jean@workingmomma247´s lastest post..Bee Stings ,Malls and Cheesecakes Oh My!

I think it’s great that you’re letting him eat at the counter! I let my son eat in the living room and just leave his plate on the coffee table throughout the day. He grazes all day long, but he eats when he’s hungry and I don’t have to yell “hurry up and eat” or whatever. It’s very freeing.
Thanks for the chance to win!
cgogis at yahoo dot com

Ha! Good one. I will keep that one in mind. I am all for creativity in parenting.

You can still have wonderful, mannerly children who know how to behave in a restaurant or in someone else’s house while compromising with them at home and exploring their quirks.

In fact, we’ll see if your kid’s quirk is my kid’s quirk and pull out the storage bucket for lunch today…

Madness and Sense´s lastest post..The Preschooler Buzz

way to think outside the box, mama!
i swear … having children causes us to jump in and out of the box constantly doesn’t it?

jen´s lastest post..maybe i should go and buy a lottery ticket?

Way to improvise!

Mom24: the wise say to pick your battles. I know Jennifer isn’t letting Carson have his way in all things, but to not allow any flexibility as a parent in a minor thing such as this? I am 100% positive Carson won’t grow up with horrible manners because of how Jennifer handled a very typical toddler eating issue.

Heather, Queen of Shake Shake´s lastest post..Can you feel summer?

very cool site my son has recently become fascinated with cooking & helping in the kitchen this will help with some Christmas ideas!

paula´s lastest post..just do not like his music

Picky eaters are so rough! ::fingers crossed to win for my picky eater::

iMommy´s lastest post..Holiday Shopping

Ooh, good trick! And probably easier to clean up than milk dripped on carpet! (I just finished rubbing Resolve on juice stains. ICK!)
Fingers crossed! I love making pizza!

Jen L.´s lastest post..NOOOO! This is NOT happening now!

Hey I love Sassafras.
And am glad Carson is stepping up to the proverbial plate.

Sus @ Wiggle Rooms´s lastest post..Happily Ever Afters

@Mom24@4evermom My husband will sometimes spoon feed our 4 and 2 year old! It doesn’t work when I do it, but somehow they will open up their mouths like little birds for daddy.

FWIW, my picky eater seems to be slowly growing out of it at age 6. He’s willing to at least try new things and his texture issues are less severe. Hang in there!

Tracy´s lastest post..Retail Therapy

My boy loves to watch all the shows on Food Network - and loves to help me cook. This would be perfect for him.

catnip´s lastest post..nothing

Thanks, Love this for a Christmas idea!!

I was wondering what those photos were about in your photostream the other day.

I say if you can get him to eat and he is happy doing it then woohoo!!

Heather~Domestic Extraordinaire´s lastest post..Is 31 too young for the Miracle Ear?

Crossing them fingers!

Glad to hear the eating is getting better.

Just took our 3yr old twins to the doc and they is 5 pounds difference between them. Doc’s not too concerned about the picky eater. He’ll eat when he’s hungry, we’re told. OK!

kj @ Where my boys at?´s lastest post..Cut it off!

Dinnertime is my 3 year old’s worst nightmare. We’re still figuring out ways to get her to eat, while not letting her have the control of throwing tantrums and throwing food. It drives me nuts.

Jill´s lastest post..The Weight Has Now Shifted From My Shoulders To My Abdomen

Good for you… stick with the baby steps. He’ll get there!

awesome! I’m glad he’s eating. We’ve also had to cut down on the snacks and milk in the afternoons. My kids actually ate salmon last night. I may just keel over from the shock.

Mama DB´s lastest post..Safe and Well

Alyssa has her good days and bad days. Last night I made a chicken casserole and made some green beans as well. She ate nothing but green beans and kept asking for more. If I made green beans tonight though, she would look at me like I had lost my mind.

We definitely do what we have to! I used to feed the twins off my plate when I ate dinner after they were finished with theirs - I found they would eat whatever I was eating, even if they flat out refused it minutes ago on their own plate. It was aggravating, but once I stopped feeding them from my plate they seemed to eat better from their own. But I’m of the firm opinion there really is no “win” here when it comes to toddlers and eating . . empty tote in the kitchen here we come
BlueBella´s lastest post..On A Day Like Today

Huh. May have to try that for dinner!

My kids would love the prize! Pizza’s the one thing I know they’ll always eat!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins´s lastest post..Stream of (un)consciousness

fingers crossed ….

feener´s lastest post..I will..

HAHA Well at least he wasn’t sitting IN the tub.

Miss´s lastest post..My Soundtrack

ooh how cute! pick me, pick me!

I guess kids will eat when they’re hungry!

Glad to hear he’s eating better. It’s so hard to watch them be that picky and hear them refuse over and over again. I think CJ has eaten PB&J and Hot Dogs almost every meal this week. Zoiks.

MadWomanMeg´s lastest post..Foto Friday - Giveaway!

At least he’s eating in the kitchen not on the carpet! My son loves to help me make homemade pizza crust so this set would be perfect for him.

Jennie´s lastest post..Flickr Mosaic (100th post!)

I agree with the pick your battles. TO me, other things are way more important to fight with them about, than where you eat your breakfast.

Teri´s lastest post..5 Years and 1 Week.

Eating is way more about us, than about them. Which is easy to say, and hard to live by, believe me, I know!

I have one great eater, and one not-so-great, but they both LOVE pizza, and they love when we do make your own on English Muffins. Doing it for REAL would be even cooler!

ragtopday´s lastest post..Cost of a Second Date

I am not looking forward to this part of toddlerhood again!

tuesday´s lastest post..I Love My Visitors

I’m posting and crossing

Notice: the comment luv is still out to get me. effer.

You want today’s giveaway - I just know you do.

And, if they eat? Who cares about the mess?

Anglophile Football Fanatic´s lastest post..Where’s Shania Twain When You Need Her?

At least he’s eating! I love when moms dont go by the book! Makes me feel better!!

I’ll take it!

Oooh, I’d love to win that. Pizza is one of the things MY picky kid will actually eat.

I can soo relate to the eating… and I, too, try to act like it doesn’t bother me when she refuses to eat. But we all know the truth….

Pick me! I have no idea what to get my niece for Christmas.

My ped told me that kids who are healthy are incapable of starving themselves- they will eventually eat…so hard, though, I know…

Toni´s lastest post..Complete

Im too tired to even form a witty snarky comment about my toddlers eating habits.
please to just INSERT ONE HERE for me…

MizFit´s lastest post..Why MizFit shall never be on Top Chef.

At times like these you got to do what you’ve got to do!! Trust me. I know.

I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed!!

abunslife´s lastest post..Here Piggy Piggy

I have a one year old and am NOT looking forward to the picky eating stage. Ugh!

I wish I had enforced the no snacks or fluid rules when Cab was young and made him eat what was on the table.
He always had special meals and lots of snacks because I was worried about his weight.
He is 18yo and still has a 10 items repertoire - none which are fruits or vegetables. *Sigh*

Binks´s lastest post..Busy,Busy, Busy

“Whatever it takes.” That’s my motto when it comes to kids eating. Or doing anything, I guess. (I know, I know. I’m pitiful.)

patois´s lastest post..Haiku: Courage

fingers crossed although my bug won’t be making pizza for at least a few months!

dig this chick´s lastest post..nearly one

I have a 2yr old at home (2nd kid) when he was younger he too took his meals at the kitchen sink..but it was even more messy then your child’s eating habit as he had to have the kitchen tap turned on so that he could enjoy ” washing the dishes” while eating.

Dominique´s lastest post..Which T-shirt fit’s better?

Honestly, one of the hardest things as a parent, at least for me, is to accept that they will eat when they are hungry and 1/2 a thing of yogurt really, miraculously can get them through the day.

Congrats on finding a way to cope with it.

Shamalam´s lastest post..Breathe

I know exactly what you are talking about. My 2 year old will only eat while watching Mamma Mirabel on PBS in the morning. Hopefully they will grow out of it.

rob´s lastest post..got wine? the orlando food and wine festival runs out

You’re a funny dude, Carson
Hey, however he wants to eat…haha.

I think all kids pretty much go through the picky/not eating phase-you’re handling it well, and I bet you ‘acting’ like you don’t care what he does/doesn’t eat is helping. He probably realizes it isn’t such a big deal and is going to grow out of it before you even blink an eye.

Yay for empty cartons to eat on at sinks!

flickrlovr´s lastest post..Concert Mania

I was slow to realize that my 3.5 year old is much more likely to try something she has helped make. It worked tonight.

nonlineargirl´s lastest post..Coming to Terms

my kids have started eating their breakfast out of those silicone re-usable cupcake liners. they make cute little bowls and are various colors….somehow this is inspiring.

who knows what makes them tick, right?

phyllis´s lastest post..I ? to read

My kid is too young to be a budding chef at the moment, but I still hope I win.
Erica´s lastest post..Heads or Tails Tuesday: Great Pumpkin Carving

kids… they will eat only when they want… but pancakes will eat every time i make

glad to see he’s eating, we’re doing better over here too!

DesignHER Momma´s lastest post..who needs a doll when you have a cat?

Maybe my toddler would actually eat something besides french toast… Maybe…

Erin´s lastest post..Need I say more?

Baby steps is where it’s at. My 18 month old has been nursing non stop…he doesn’t feel like eating anything but goldfish crackers. Crazy!

The pizza kit looks cool!

My first was so picky, I thought he would starve. But my second is so much better (plus I stress about it less, too).

My daughter would love the pizza kit - she loves to help cook.

Gina´s lastest post..W

Eating on a tote is TOO FUNNY! Kids are bizarre. Who would ever guess that a tote would encourage eating. Ha!

J still has serious eating “issues,” but pizza (albeit plain/cheese) is one of her favorite things, so a pizza making kit would ROCK!!

Fingers crossed….

PsychMamma´s lastest post..Mammograms

I’ve begun letting my two year old eat while sitting in the middle of the train table, surrounded by trains. The Jewish mother in me just can’t send him to bed hungry. I just can’t!

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I'm Jennifer, Mom to Carson, 3, and Ella, 2. Wife and Bossaholic to Tate. My claim to fame is that I'm the #1 search result on Google for "kids pooping in pools!!." You can follow me on Twitter, see my stumbles at StumbleUpon, view my photos on Flickr, and contact me by email.

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