Eating Concerns for My 6 Year Old Son

L. you're such a bad mommy :)
joke aside, i can totally relate to frustration you're experiencing with finicky eaters. i agree with the previous poster...start offering smaller portions (for start), but with everything, veggie or fruit, meat, protein etc. and give him a time to finish. put an alarm clock on if you have to. i usually say 20 minutes and if you're not done i take the plate away and no food or snacks until next meal. and i keep my word. it has become better for me once they experienced "tummy monster.' it's still not great, but at least there is a time limit to that waiting whether they're eating or not.
i also offer compromise. for example one of mine hates squash so she and i (she's 4) agreed no more squash for her, but if she refuses any other veggie i will gladly brint squash back to the menu. now she eats all veggies offered (except squash).
good luck.

I would definitely recommend bringing your son to a nutritionist. We saw one for our daughter and it was very interesting. Among other things, we were given a list of rules for mealtimes that would definitely help if the problem is behavioral. (Our daughter's issues are not, but they are good rules and we follow them to avoid those problems in the future.) Ask your pediatrician who they would recommend in your area. Keep a food diary for a few days and bring it with you to the appointment. (They're going to ask you to do it, so it saves time if you just do it on your own first.)
Some of the rules are...
1. no games, bribes, counting bites, etc
2. you can talk about food objectively at the table (your peas are green), never subjectively (I love peas). If you say you like something, they have more reason not to eat it. Don't talk about eating. Talk about anything else.
3. Always offer bread and butter so picky eaters know that if they don't eat anything else, they can always have that.
4. Only make 1 meal....you're not a short-order cook

There's quite a bit and it's all great. Make an appointment.
Good luck

Hi my name is T. K.I grew up cleaning my plate and do not leave the table until you have.You may have to have a little tough love and may have to do the same.Other wise he will continue to rule you which I think he's doing now.Since you think it's behavior.Start out with very small portions and maybe one or two foods at a time.Simple stuff.But make him sit there and eat it.We did that to our children.And they pretty much eat everything now.I hope this helps you.I'll be praying for you. Take care And God bless.T.

A little about me.I'm 47.(soon to be 48).I'm married and have 4 wonderful children.1 living on his own. 1 in college.1 a senior,and 1 in 7th grade.All doing well.Thank God.!!!

I completely agree with the previous poster as well. I have a kindergarten boy at my school that does the same thing. His mom has given into this so much that his menu is nothing more then a dry bagel, plain pasta, goldfish, and pretzels. She told me he has texture issues and gag reflex. I do not mean to be sarcastic but he has no problem at birthday parties gobbling down cupcakes and candy. One day he ate two pieces of chocolate cake at a birthday party we had. That was when I knew there was nothing wrong with him. This will become a complete control issue and manipulation if you let it continue. Just give him small portions and do not offer any other food if he doesn't eat then he will learn to make sure he eats at his next meal. Children will not starve themselves but they will manipulate us into giving in to their fussiness. I sat down with mom after my observation and told her my feelings on the matter and asked her not to send in special food (we serve food at my center) each day. I have had him try something new every day since. At first he would gag and I would stand very firm and reassure him he would be fine. I am talking about a chicken nugget here not brussel sprouts (mom says he only eats Wendy's so she goes there every night) We have been doing this for two weeks now. He has tried pancakes, sausage, animal crackers, yogurt, cheese and crackers, a cheese sandwich, and the list goes on. He knows we will not tolerate his behavior and he is beginning to make strides. The first day I actually caught him trying to make himself vomit. And within a few weeks he is trying new foods each day. Since he has been eating he has energy, he is not as pale, and his mom is thrilled. Sometimes children can manipulate mommy just because they know she loves them and wants what is best for them. I am not a doctor, or a psychologist however i am pretty confident in saying that there is nothing wrong with your son if he has no problem eating what he wants to when he wants to. If I didn't see this with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it. Stay strong, be firm, and don't give in and I am sure when he sees he cannot get away with this and will stop. Good luck!!!