No one likes not having choices. Kids don’t get to make very many, and often, this need for control is met by picky eating behaviors. But you can control the choices so that no matter which choice they make, it’s a good one. Let them pick red or green grapes to buy at the store. They could help you choose whether everyone’s potatoes for dinner are baked or mashed. Though it’s not advisable to let kids pick everything on their plates (um, cheese pizza every day, anyone?) give them an option of WHICH fruit they would like with the chicken and noodles everyone is eating. Or offer a variety of dips for them to choose from for carrot dipping. Or keep raw veggies like carrots, zucchini, broccoli, and sweet peppers prepped and grabbable, and then let them choose two from the 4 options. In my experience the fact that someone didn’t HAVE to eat the thing they detested the most made them more likely to eat something that was considered the lesser evil. No matter which choices you are offering, be sure they are equal choices. Even adults sometimes have trouble choosing between french fries and salad. ; ) #moretocome #pickyeaters #momswholovethem
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