Picky Eater - Fort Worth,TX

Since you already have a marble jar, set up a new one. For every food he tries, put in a marble (or pebble, or whatever) towards a really big prize that he wants. You can decide beforehand with your husband what prizes are acceptable, and give him these options. When he chooses one, plaster a picture of that prize (like, say, Disney World for a whole week on his birthday) on that jar. So he will have a goal in mind for trying new foods, and you will have a way to get him to try new things.

Hopefully, the idea works for you! Best of luck!!!

I don't know what to tell you but I was your son when I was growing up. My mom would make us sit at the table until we cleared our plate and eventually if we didn't, we went to bed hungry. I remember most of my childhood hiding food in my napkins or some sneaky way. All I know is it made me avert foods even more. Now that I'm older, I eat way more than what I used to, but still am a picky eater.

I think how you are doing it, is a much more gentle version. So, I'd say just keep up with what your doing. However, I wouldn't make it a battle, just a matter of fact kind of thing. And don't over push him to try things. I am sure for the most part he will outgrow it, it just might not be as soon as you'd like.

Okay... this may be really really off target, but is he resistant to any other kids of input? Some kids have genuine tactile-defensiveness and have a difficult time processing input. Some kids are plain "picky".

I don't think that it would hurt to talk with your pediatrician about an Occupational Therapy/ Sensory Integration evaluation.

My husband is/was a very picky eater- partially b/c his mom is a terrible cook and everything was "well done" and partially b/c he has some real sensory processing delays. As an adult, there are some things that he doesn't like b/c he doesn't handle the textures. He'll try pretty much anything, but there are some things that he just can't stomach!

I can totally relate. My daughter won't try anything and does not eat vegetables and is always asking for sweets. I hear mixed advice, "don't make it a struggle" but also she should eat what we eat, so I don't know how to reconcile these opinions and I don't want her to be traumatized every night at dinner but the minute she sees something on her plate she doesn't like, she says "do I have to sniff, kiss and nibble this?" or "how many bites til I am done?" It sounds like you truly are doing your best. Will he have smoothie? I just tried this and she hated it. My dau found the spinach under the sauce in a Sneaky Chef pizza and wouldn't eat it. Not much help but I am sending you much empathy!

All I can say is to keep doing what you're doing. Eventually, he will outgrow this if you're consistent. I have 5 kids (one's still only on breastmilk but is very picky about rice cereal already and needing breastmilk in it...LOL) and they were all somewhat picky. My boys seemed to be worse. I'm still currently battling this exact same thing with my 7 year old. My older three are just fine now. They even eat vegetables and salads etc. So there is hope. You're doing all the right things but it does take persistence on your part. Our children are persistent, we just need to be even more so. =) Good luck!!