Feeding toddlers is one tough job… but somebody’s gotta do it! Here are some truths to keep your sanity [and sense of humor] when it comes to feeding your little one.
1. They’re honest. Brutally honest. You know that politically correct smile your true love gave you when you first made he or she a meal they disliked, but they were too kind not to hurt your feelings and say how they really felt? Well toddlers don’t know what PC means and haven’t quite gotten the memo on that polite interaction just yet.
5. They’re loyal. When toddlers love a food, they LOVE it unconditionally. For my boys it’s BBQ sauce and marinara sauce. All is right in the world when they see either one on their plates or dinner table. Warning: if you are a guest for dinner at my house, don’t be surprised I advise you to skip the BBQ sauce. A few too many double dips have taken place with that bottle!
These are all so true! I’m so thankful we have a dog because she really does help, though sometimes I have to send her out of the room because it’s just TOO much. Sigh… I’m not much for messes but I’ve had to learn it’s OK here and there. I completely agree that they can be fickle and they definitely go through phases. It’s tough when you make something you just know they’re going to love and then they don’t. At all. Sigh… other times they completely surprise me by what they polish off – or like you said, what they pair together. Strange combinations, but hey, whatever works! I just keep feeding them healthy foods and let them decide what and how much to eat. All we can do, right?!
I’ve learned that they eat like birds.. no matter how hard you try.. and that somehow, they are still a.o.k. So, I suppose I should worry less.
I’ve also however learned that spacing out those meals and snacks is critical to successful eating. It wasn’t until I took a big step back to look at why my son seemed to only eat snacks that I realized his meals were only 1.5 hours after snacks and seriously, who WOULD be hungry for anything green after they had something yummy so recently? 😀 Do you have a magic time span between meals and snacks? Do you do juices at all, I’ve found that juice with a snack will totally kill the appetite for the next meal!
Yes! They are little grazers and ironically enough their growing slows substantially after 2 so they aren’t as hungry as they were the first few years of life. As far as meals and snacks go, I totally notice the “not hungry for dinner” strike if snack was less than 1.5 hours before. We usually do OK with about a 2 hour separation and save drinks like juice or milk for mealtime only. Water with snacks. And I don’t bring out the sippy cups with water or milk until halfway through their meal.. or else they will just drink and not eat!! Thanks for asking that great question Amy!
hi there – love your post! Had a question for you – what is the bottle you had in one of the pictures – i think where he is eating chips and hummus? Do you use that for milk as well? Thanks so much! Anu