My seven year old daughter is extremely picky about food and becoming spoiled and entitled, even though I’ve tried hard to prevent that in her life since I grew up poor. I share joint custody with her father, so she is only with me half the time. She tries to make every meal a power struggle when it’s time to eat food I know she likes. I don’t make her eat anything that I know she legitimately hates. Simple things such as pizza, macaroni, and cheese, corn dogs, noodles, chicken nuggets, fruit, vegetables, she will eat one day and then claims she hates it the next so she can go eat junk instead, which I don’t allow. I have tried explaining to her how there are many people who can’t afford food and go hungry and are homeless, which she says she understands, but the behavior continues. I do not let her eat something else after refusing the meal and don’t even require her to clean the plate, only to eat an acceptable portion. I’ve come to start hating when it’s time to eat because she cries and whines, and I feel she’s way too old to be acting like this. What are some ways I can get her to understand how easy she has it and to be grateful?
I think it’s a phase my 7 yo does the same thing, don’t stress. There’s plenty of time to instill gratefulness
I used to make meals and let them pick only one thing they dont like and eat the rest it worked pretty good gives them an option but only one
Also try getting her involved in the making the food shed learn and enjoy more i think
As long as she eats somthing don’t waste your energy . My kids all did this to . Next thing you knew they went on a growth spurt with food. I would never suggest making eating an issue in general . Food gets old .
Plan a menu with her and let her help.
Pick your battles wisely
Have you considered having her help with some of the cooking and meal preparation. My kids are willing to experiment a little more and eat a better variety when they have helped to cook the meal. Even a 7 year old can do some kitchen tasks. Maybe something that she can “cook” herself, like sandwiches, salads, etc. could become her new favorite. Good luck. (As a mom of 2 really picky eaters, I can tell you it does eventually get better.)
My 7 year old is the same
Make a pb&j keep it simple
Maybe have her help you make a meal?
Don’t buy junk food.
Okay stop shaming the child today, that’s not helping anyone and you’re invalidating her thoughts and emotions. Telling her they’re wrong and she’s not allowed to have them, knock it off.
Second have her try everything on her plate, one bite of everything and she can choose to make herself a sandwich or eat what’s been prepared. No other options. It will get better but YOU need to be supportive and compassionate. There are tons of reasons for a child’s eating patterns and relationship with food to change, you don’t need to make it worse with more negativity. If you aren’t able to do that, or not willing to do that, find someone who will or the effects could last into adulthood for her.
Just tell her to let you know when she’s hungry, name three options and tell her that when she’s picked one she can let you know. Balls in her court then, she can pick or be hungry… trust me eventually she’ll pick.
I suggest not letting her turn it into a battle. If you know theres at least one thing cooked that she likes just announce that supper is done, when she starts complaining just tell her " you don’t have to eat it" no arguments or dealing, or begging. Let her get up from the table and go. But supper is all there is. No junk food will be available. If she chooses not to eat, don’t comment at all, a 7 year old isn’t going to starve themselves and even if she goes to bed without eating it wont hurt her. Pretend it never happened and offer breakfast the next morning. The trick is to not let it be a deal at all, say you don’t have to eat it and let it go. If she asks for junk just calmly say sorry, if you are hungry theres supper left and walk away.
As said, I would literally take her food away when she refuses and go about your business. As soon as you try to force or coerce her, she has the power. Don’t make a big deal, but don’t let her have anything else. She will learn that she will not get her way over time and that if she doesn’t eat she will go hungry and you won’t give in through an argument because you’ve remained calm. It may take a little while, but she will learn. Good luck x
Don’t buy much junk food. If you do, for occasional snacks or treats, hide them and do it when she doesn’t know. Make dinner tell her it’s done. And that’s all she gets to eat. No dessert. Unless she eats dinner. Let her pick out dinner one night a week. Or help make it etc. Don’t let it behind a huge battle. Kids will sit there not eating for God knows how long lol both my kids, each get to pick dinner one night each. And if they don’t finish dinner any night, they don’t get a snack after. My oldest is picky. He’s on the spectrum though. My youngest, he’ll eat just about everything lol or at least try it once
Make it very clear that what you offer, and only what you offer is what she will need to eat. No snacks what so ever unless she eats what you feel is an appropriate amount.
If she raises a stink, she can go to her room and stay there until she apologized to you and willing to eat her meal. Tough love. Sometimes it’s the only way to snap them out if it
Make 1 meal she dont eat it tough she gets nothing other than last nights meal for breakfast happened to me its how I learned
Put her plate in front of her and walk away . Do not pay any mind to her tantrum . When she realizes your not giving in to the fight it will stop … and have a fun activity for just you and her after she finishes like a game or story time a walk etc .
Don’t make it a battle…serve her the meal you have made and if she doesn’t eat it, that’s ok but that’s what’s for dinner, no alternatives. If she is hungry later she can have a piece of fruit or toast. Thats what happens in our house. Seems to work in our house. No battles or arguments at dinner time.
My kid is 12. I tell her she has to get 1 item of everything i made. However she serves herself and picks the portion of each item. If she doesnt she just doesn’t get to leave the table. Gives her a chance to be in control of how much she eats while i control what she eats.
Look up Supernanny picky eaters.
I eat what I feel like eating …when I feel like eating it. Kiddos arent any different. They have cravings, likes and dislikes. Ive never understood how that seems bratty for a child to dislike something.
i would say let her go hungry because by not eating will eventually become hungry and learn to eat whats in front of her. even if not eating now.especially if someething likes
I’m old school I would send her to bed hungry if she refused what you prepare for her. It won’t take long before she realizes it’s feast or famine.
Grocery shop and cook together. If she picks unhealthy items tell her you will compromise by making a healthier version.
Why does she need to eat a meal? She can eat junk if that is what she needs. As long as she eats something she is alive and well! I never made my kids eat anything. They ate what the wanted and grew to be happy health adults! No bashing! This is my way only!
She is 7, kids are picky eaters sometimes due to parents never creating healthy eating habits and limiting it at a young age, and sometimes it could be for legit medical reasons. Some kids have sensory issues with food. I do. My parents, my in laws, my husband, brothers, friends and coworkers for years thought I was a picky eater… i was embarrassed by it. It took me getting my daughter evaluated for sensory issues did i realize this was my issue. I like something one day then I don’t. Certain vegetables literally make me sick to my stomach, and their smell too. Crunchy things, not mushy at all.
Also you need to be on the same page as her dad and vice versa about trying to offer healthy alternatives.
She says she doesn’t want the food? Let her leave the table. When she comes to you saying she’s hungry, warm up the plate and serve it again.
Let her choose 3 foods she doesn’t have to eat this week. She can’t change until next week.
We eat pretty healthy to begin with. We grocery shop together, pick out food together and I have my girls in the kitchen with me cooking when I can. I always ask my family what they want to eat for dinner. Just because I’m craving something doesn’t mean they are in the mood for it. Most nights we all compromise… one picks the protein portions and the others pick the side dishes. Now if we have fish or something I know my kids will not eat, they get to pick what they eat that night- they want cereal or waffles that’s fine by me as long as they are full, healthy and happy.
Start making her responsible for finding recipes and making a menu for the week, you can also include shopping for the groceries and money management there.
Anyhow you choose, responsibility is what should help that situation.
I have some really picky kids in my bunch and being a picky eater myself, I refuse to be hard on them about it. But they must try it before they say they don’t like it. My way of getting mine to try new foods is through " little white lies". I tell them if they eat carrots enough it will make them be able to see through walls. So they keep eating them until that happens. Broccoli is baby trees to us and the only way to grow tall as trees is to eat broccoli. If they eat chicken enough they will grow wings and learn to crow like a chicken. I am a mom of six (ages 22 to 2) and all at some point has been a picky eater. This has gotten all my kids to get over that. My now 22 year old even eat gator meat when he was six because I told him he would learn to gator roll if he did. Lol
If you can, please bring her to Sri Lanka, my country, where ppl cry every single day, they eat only 1 meal a day, which is maybe a bit of Jack fruit boiled. Or a small plate of rice with some onion. That’s all they get to eat. They have never seen a pizza, macaroni, cheese and don’t know it exists. For them, a simple plate of rice with a raw onion n salt is a luxury meal. Please bring her here when you can and take her to a village. Its only 1% of Sri Lankan population who can afford a meal nowadays. Children have no bridges and walk across a rope to get to their school on the other side. Children die of hunger and parents too have nothing left. Our government pays for nothing. Instead expect the ppl to live with exorbitant taxes and 99% of us, have less than 55 $ A Month to Survive with. Some have only 30 $ a Month. Please take her here and then she will never refuse to eat again. The Sri Lankan ppl are truly destitute and only thr capital of Colombo might survive with great difficulty. All thr rest island wide are Living a living death
I would talk to her dad and ask him what shes like with him. He might be a bit soft on her and gets away with it with him. My almost 3 year old is pretty fussy with what she eats but some how I can still manage to get her to at least try the food even if it’s just one bite and she knows if she doesn’t eat her dinner shes not getting anything else.
All my 3 have been and are going through this stage. Carry on with what you’re doing, skipping meals sometimes or not eating a lot doesn’t harm them. I think if a child doesn’t experience poverty it’s hard for them to really get it. She will in time x
My 7 year old did that. I met her when she was 5. I hated dinner time too. Dont beat yourself up. I put my foot down. Its this and nothing else. Although i planned to give her peanut butter and jelly had she not. And i told her she WILL sit there until shes finished. And then bed time. No tv. No x box. No dessert. Thats what got her. Id eat ice cream right in front of her. It was a fight. And i was straightforward. “Its interesting you think you can tell me what you will and wont do” “its interesting you think i have to make something special just for you while everyone else is eating it” “its interesting you think i would give you something gross” “somebody lied to you. Youre not in charge” “ive gained 20lbs because of you and your pickiness” “You dont like cheese??? No more mac n cheese then.” Took 2 years but she eats cheese now. And its not a fight and dinner time is enjoyable.
Don’t have any bad toxic food in your house. Be an example. She will get used to it if she won’t be exposed to bad food. Even at least just at your house if her dad doesn’t care about his health and keeps shit at his house. Also yes she’s very old for such behaviour but just let her whine it out then and don’t react at all keep doing whatever you be doing, she’ll eat it if she gets hungry. Have her plate at the table and she can’t have nothing else until that plate is empty. Simple as. The choice is HERS. No arguing whatsoever tho! chill out and give it time. Don’t fold. Do it for her health! Love is not shoving candy down your kids throats. Sometimes love is strickness, discipline, creating healthy habits.
My 7 yr old son was like that too. He is now 8 and slowly getting there with understanding he has to at least eat a good portion of his plate. You are doing the right thing. Just takes a bit to register. Take her to a homeless shelter and serve food. Or take her to see some homeless on the streets may help
Honestly if this were me I’d stop catering 100%. Make what you want for dinner and she can eat or not. No sense making things you know she likes when she’s being difficult just to be difficult. You could try and engage her and have her help cook? You’re doing great and sticking to your guns, but she’s a kid …she doesn’t understand “how easy she has it” because she’s never had it any other way In terms of being grateful… you could try doing some volunteering with her, food shelves or donation centers… good luck!
Make a rule and stick with it. Be consistent. She’ll figure out manipulation won’t work. Hugs to you.
Do not get up set. Use the broken record method. “Here is your dinner.” Only say that. If she says “I’m hungry” you say “here is your dinner.” If she says she doesn’t want it only say “ok.” When she asked for something else say “here is your dinner.” Thats is. Do not it be a power struggle. You can’t argue with a broken record. Oh, she won’t like it at first. But stay calm and strong. “Here is your dinner.” If there is no one to fight with she will stop fighting. If she is hungry she will eat. If she goes to bed without eating, it is her choice and it will not hurt her.
Field trip to the homeless shelter to see the hungry people and the soup kitchen to see the less than gourmet food they get.
If she whines at cries and makes a scene at meal time, she can eat by herself. Seriously. Go to a different room so you dont have to hear it. She keeps doing it because she knows it gets to you. Set her plate in front of her, set a timer for 30 minutes, then leave the room. Come back after the 30 minutes and take her plate. No bargaining or arguing over what or how much she eats. No extra food later because she barely ate her meal. Simply don’t play her game.
Maybe she is getting to eat different at her dad’s house.Ask him if he is being tested in the eating area.If so get together and try to agree on how you both want to handle this.weather he is interested,you decide what you are going to do and let your little one know how things are going to be in your home.period. let her help sometime.See if she would like to fix a meal sometimeand you help Her. You just need to stick to whatever Yuor Rules areand talk about something else. It really does work.Being mom is not easy.,Being the boss is your Job. So young lady keep a soft heart ,talk things out ,and rememberthey grow up sooner than you know,but they are yours for a lifetime.Enjoy,Okay.
Don’t have any snacks in the house. And then make a regular meal. If she doesn’t eat then she doesn’t eat. I wouldn’t put up with that at all. But you definitely need to have a conversation with your ex about what you’re gonna do so your daughter can’t spin it against you later.
My daughter always pulled the same thing. She is 12 now but she loved mac and cheese, then hated it as other things as well. I always kept leftovers and if she didn’t want to eat what was made and I always tried to keep her tastes in mind, then she got leftovers or pb&j. I am a single mom, so we can’t afford extras all the time. She has never gone hungry but she got what I made or pb&j. It is a control thing for children. But, I grew up in a pretty well to do family and my parents were very strict on you sit at the table until your cup of milk is gone and your plate… I hated milk and do to this day because of that and also have a bad relationship with food because of that. So, I won’t force my children to eat their plate, I ask them to try things and I very rarely have junk food in my house. I don’t buy soda (only water), chips are maybe 1 time a month if that, 1 time a month ice cream… and, my daughter has Learned that what I make is what she gets. She tested me for a while but all i can say is hold your ground. If they are hungry, they will eat
Maybe you can both make dinner together, or give her options. I understand the 7 year old crabbiness. My son is 7 and sometimes it’s like dealing with a teenager. So MOODY. but when i give him options it’s sometimes too much, then when i just make whatever he complains, even though I KNOW he likes it. I feel your struggle mama. As long as you feel comfortable about what you give her and she’s fed, you can only do so much. Including her during making dinner could help her see how important it is to eat good, healthy food. And feel proud about what she makes.
My kids have gone through this and currently my 4 year old is trying this. He gets the same meal as everyone else and has to eat a certain amount or he gets nothing else…if he refuses to eat the amount we say then he gets told the only thing he gets the rest of night is what he didn’t eat. Normallu he comes back a half hour later and asks for his dinner and eats it.
I have also had my kids join in making the meals. The 4 year old loves to make salads and its a sure fire way to get him to atleast eat that part of the meal without a fight.
Instead of turning food time into a battle why not try involving her in picking a food she’d like to eat and get her to help u prepare it and turn food time into a fun time with lots of encouragement for her being good and helping u prepare the meal
Our pediatrician says that if a child doesn’t like a food they need to try it something like 8 times before they will develop a taste for it. My advice would be to have her eat a couple of bites of whatever it is before she’s allowed to leave the table.
My 9yr old girl the same, I’ve started to let her cook alongside me, and noticed she eats more of what she makes than what I make, it is a fight, but I’ve decided if she hungry she will eat, no afters or sweets for at least 3hours before dinner, and no drinks until after dinner, good luck mumma
Let her get hungrier. Don’t buy anymore junk… if she doesn’t want to eat it fine but she can’t eat no dessert and if she’s hungry later she can eat what she wouldn’t at first. That attitude most like gets her what she wants at dads so she’s testing you to see where she can go with it with you
She’s 7 if she doesn’t want the food then she goes to bed without. She won’t be having any other food till she eats the dinner (with the exception if the food goes off which I take toys away if the food goes off).
My grandson is 7,as long as he’s eating and not hungry . I do put out food in bowls during the day . He started squeezing the juice out of the oranges and drinking that a couple days ago after touching them for a month or so. He doesn’t like a lot of textures .
My oldest is 2 do i havent really ran into this problem with him but my exes oldest was super picky cause he could be at his mom’s, we couldnt afford that. So i would tell him either eat it or go without, but if i knew it wasnt something he absolutely didnt like i didnt care. He eventually quit complaining and ate at least some of what i cooked.
My mom used to cook for us and if we complained about something she would always tell us we weren’t in a restaurant if your hungry eat it if not then go to bed hungry. I have the same problem with my grandson and he is only 20 months old but I discovered he loves beans so bean it is as long as he eats I’m ok with that.
Could it be a sensory aversion thing? Maybe getting her assessed would be worth it.
My granddaughter was like this up until her 9th birthday… All she would eat is macaroni and cheese and hot dogs and pizza… She wouldn’t even try anything… She gradually started trying different foods because that’s what everybody else was eating now there’s nothing she won’t eat and she just turned 12
We have 3 picky eaters and if they don’t like what’s for dinner because kids are kids they can pick out an alternate. It has to be as healthy or healthier. My 7 year old had a bowl of fruit for dinner the other night. Maybe have appropriate alternatives for her. The option of going to bed without food usually scares them if they don’t want the alternative. As soon as I say go brush your teeth they ready for that dinner plate.
My step daughter is 11, never had a problem with her eating my cooking up until recently. As of the last 6months shes decided she hates my.cooking and will go so far as to refuse to eat so I understand where your coming from as i do the same, just stick to your guns hun
You really can’t because she is 7. You are wanting her to understand something that can take some people to adulthood to understand.
I tell my son if he doesn’t eat he goes to bed with no snacks. And if he is hungry enough he will eat his dinner. Power through
She’ll understand when she is the mom… until then maybe let her help plan the menu and help with meal prep
Charcuterie is what I fed my kid mostly healthy and she had more choices.
Try not keeping any junk in the house. Give her a few healthy choices. Its ok if she skips a meal or two. Give her the choice.
What I would do is make up a menu with your daughter, take her shopping with you to purchase what is on the list, have her help plan the meals for the times she is going to be with you, and find things for her to do to help make the meals. She will be more likely to eat if she gets opportunities to contribute. I would start with reducing the amount of the type of foods that you have been purchasing, get out a cookbook or look at recipes online, and introduce her to new foods. Lasagna with garlic bread and a salad would be good. Pork chop with flavored rice or scalloped potatoes and green beans would be good. Homemade beef stew would be awesome. Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup is yummy or fix a BLT with a slice of cheese. Shepherd’s pie. I’m just giving you a few ideas in case you need any. I enjoy spaghetti and I also like Swedish meatballs on top of mashed potatoes or pasta. Bbq pork ribs cooked in the oven and served with baked beans and corn bread is delicious. If she has a larger variety of things to eat that might stop her behavior. I’d find out what the ex is feeding her and then give her the total opposite of that. But if she still balks at the table, give her thirty minutes to eat and then if she hasn’t touched it once after the thirty minutes send her off to bed. She can have it tomorrow for lunch or dinner and she cannot have anything to snack on. If she finishes the meal you can then let her have a dessert. But I wouldn’t give in to her when she misbehaves.
I could videotape me and my empty fridge . Idek how imma feed my husband let alone pregnant me. I got at least some fruit and stuff for me but nothing for my picky ass husband lol.
I have 50/50 custody too having similar issues
In my family if you don’t eat your food it’s saved til you get hungry then it’s set in front of you again
They will eat when they are hungry.
Take her to volunteer at a soup kitchen
Can’t eat you don’t buy… or hide really well for ypurself🤫
Dude mines 4 and does this it’s ANNOYING
Oh Gesh , read the comments, glad none of were my parents and super happy you are not parents to my grandkids
My kids always ate what I made or went hungry. If they refused their dinner, they could wrap it up, put it in the refrigerator, and if they got hungry later, they could have what I made for dinner and nothing other than that until they ate it. If they wanted to whine about it they went to their room until they were ready to eat the food I made for them. They knew the rules and as a result they are not picky eaters at all. It’s not about the food - it’s about who has control, and right now, I hate to say it, but your child is trying to manipulate and control you, and you are allowing her to do it.
For a long time my youngest step son wouldn’t eat anything we put in front of him. No matter what it was he would say he didn’t like it. One day I got sick of making multiple meals and sat to the table with him for 2 hours until he tried what was on his plate (ham) now it is his favorite thing and he asks for it all the time… also Montreal steak spice (weird but it worked for him) he wouldn’t eat pork shop or steak or anything other then chicken nuggets and raw hot dogs. But now as long as he can put montreal steak spice on it, he will eat almost anything. For him food was one of the only things in his life that he could control since his mom and dad separated. So eventually he gave in to eating things but it had to be his way…
Try having her help you cook or put her in charge of a meal or 2 when she’s with you. Teach her to cook and have her do the steps. This may help
Stop preaching . Make a meal (healthier than. What u describe here ). Put it in fro t of her and ignore her. Take dishes away at the end and eat it go. If hungry she will eat. She is controlling gun with her whiny behaviors. Ignore them and stop preaching . She shuts down when u preach
Is she eating this way at dads as well? First rule out issues with tonsils , stomach etc and then give her 2 choices. This will hopefully will help her feel more in charge ? She chooses and if she doesn’t you choose . Serve it and walk away . Also eating what she eats could help as well and sitting with her when she eats ? Sometimes it not about food at all . Is she having other behaviors?
Kids will never EVER be grateful for anything until they’re almost fully grown. Stop expecting to be able to teach her gratefulness
Sounds just like my daughter when she was younger. It’s a power struggle! Give in & you’ll be dealing with this with everything & it’ll only get worse. Ask for her input for dinner but ultimately your the Mom you’re in charge! If she doesn’t eat then she goes without no snacks no cooking something else. Stick to your guns or she will walk all over you.
Is it possible that this situation is nothing about food and more about having separated parents and living between 2 homes. That is hard on children and feel the situation is out of control so they use what they have to gain control. In this case there eating.
I’d say take her to the store and tell her she gets to make dinner and let her pick the stuff to make and then you do supervise. I would also try volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Or if it’s close to you take leftovers on plates to homeless people and hand them out let her see how grateful they are for what she doesn’t want to eat
I would talk to the dad tbh… see what way he’s doing meals or what way she’s eating there. Her eating habits may be influenced by what she eats at her dads and it’ll cause conflict on her mind which will then have her acting like this. If it turns out he’s letting her eat whatever, you’ll need to talk to him about it because talking to her or putting your foot down while the other parent is allowing her to have her way will only cause her behaviour to get worse
You put her plate down and say here’s your food if you want snacks, dessert, etc you have to eat your food. You don’t argue, you don’t fight. You make the statement and ignore her and her whining behavior. Eventually she’ll stop. You feed into the behavior so she gets attention and will continue to do it. Best thing to do is ignore her and if she tries throwing a tantrum/breaking things you just put her in her own room and say if you want to break things, you can break your own toys and have nothing to play with but you will not break my things.
Have her volunteer at homeless shelter. Take her around town and show her that not everyone has what she has. Maybe if she see’s it first hand it might help
It’s a control thing. It’s not being ungrateful. Kids learn from an early age that they control certain things like eating or going potty. Take the power out of it. Stop buying junk food for awhile and take her to the store to let her pick some things she likes. Let her pick what she wants to eat and let her make it. It will let her feel in control and she will stop the power struggle.
Take her to a shelter so she can see what it’s like to have nothing and never get to chose what little food you get to eat, if there is even anything left when you get in line.
I don’t let the kids run the kitchen, but as a mom of five I do involve their opinions on meals and even involve them in meal prep and cooking. It helps them look forward to meals and eating them. There’s a way to go about things without sounding so demanding which in turn makes them want to do the exact opposite, well because they’re kids. I do this and I stay consistent about it and it goes very well. Every parent is different though and we all have our own way of doing things
I would have her help u at the store pick out foods then help u prepare them which gives her a good choice for new things and chanve to pick out what she wants so she cant say that, a shelter or a church lunch meal to serve others would help
My son is like that now. He’s 18…he doesn’t like the things I make usually for dinner anymore. But since he was in high school if Icook… If he doesn’t like it he can make his own. If we order food or go out somewhere if he doesn’t like it… Too bad he can have something at home then
Eat what I cook or don’t eat. I don’t run a restaurant. She can cry and whine until she passes out. The pickiness will end. I would just keep offering a variety of things, she won’t starve to death
Sorry but as a mom to a sensory child that doesn’t like certain textures have you seriously ever considered she may have that instead of calling your child entitled and becoming spoiled there’s foods that my child will not eat because the texture she has days she will not eat nuggets even though that’s one food we know that she eats but guess what she has her days it’s the life of a sensory child
My 14 year old is the same way. I require 3 bites of everything and if you truly don’t like it then I make something else I know he will eat. I only cater to him because he’s way under weight and he’s not a snacker. I think their tastes change but obviously not daily. I typically give my kids the option on Sunday what we are having for the week. I’m a planner. It has seemed to help.
Wow everyone is so hard on kids! You know they have the same days as us sometimes we don’t fancy something so we won’t eat it but others we will! Why does everyone assume she is entitled! She’s a bloody child! My daughters a picky eater so I give her food options and she picks (she’s 3) even when she’s picked sometimes she doesn’t want it, food tastes change a lot for example you’ll eat grapes sometimes they are sweet, sour, crunchy or squishy whereas when you eat crisps or biscuits it’s the same every time. It could be a sensory thing! You are doing nothing wrong mama! some children struggle with the sensory side of things, see if she wants to help with the dinner that can help! X
Cook what you cook if she’s hungry she’ll eat. You’ll be teaching her appreciation and food is for nourishment not a prize. You’ll be seen as the bad parent but you’re the mother get used to it especially with a daughter. As a parent what’s best for her is what matters not what she wants and you know better then a 7 year old. But be mindful of her likes and compromise some pizza with apple slices and carrots or Mac and cheese with fruit and allow her to help you cook so she’s involved in preparing the food maybe setting the table something to make dinner fun and her to look forward too think outside the box these kids are different these days
I am bread different I ask my child what sounds good for dinner. Input from them goes a long way.
If she don’t like what you make then there is always ppj
personally, if there’s something in the meal that you know she usually eats, and she refuses all of it… then that’s dinner. maybe allow her to choose to make herself something else (cereal, yogurt, etc) and join you at the table, and if she chooses not to then she needs to leave the table so you can eat in peace. if later she’s hungry i’d offer yogurt or toast.
whining and crying at the table? nope. that’s not what we do here. at that age if my son wanted to whine and cry i’d ask him to go into his room and take a moment to himself. turn on some music, scream into pillows, do some deep breathing… but no, tantrums in the dining room at 7 is a nope.
My 7 year old is the exact same way! Darn girls lol