Other People's Kids
I'd like to hear your opinions on this...
My daughter's best friend (they're both 6) is an incredibly picky eater. She pretty much eats bread, plain pasta, fruit and peanut butter. Our daughter has always eaten what we eat, and eats pretty much everything. My question is this, should I indulge this child when she is eating at our house? I really don't think I should, because we don't make special meals for our daughter if she doesn't like what we're having. But, on the other hand, she's not my child, and maybe I shouldn't impose our policies on her.
I don't really want to ask her parents to pack her a lunch when she comes here, because they feed my girl when she's at their house.
Thoughts?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kirsty Whitehouse on -
No, i do the same with my children, the other children are fed what my kids are fed. If they chose not to eat it, it is their issue, not mine.
Not the same if it's a child with an allergy or something.
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Permalink Reply by Eileen on -
When she is visiting offer her what your having. She will come to realize that if she is hungry she will eat what is available. The last thing you would want to do is indulge or shall I say (enable) her limited tastes. You may turn out to be the best thing for her. Don't look at it as imposing your policy. This is part of learning socialization. If you had a dinner party for 10 people, you certainly would not make something different for all. They would all pick something or everything from what you are providing. Picky eating is usually just a way to maintain some control or indepedence.
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Permalink Reply by Gina on -
I wouldn't. If she doesn't like it then she can go home and eat, your not obligated to feed her anything in the first place, if your offering something and she doesn't like it, too bad!
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Permalink Reply by Candice Aiston on -
My daughter's cousin is like this. I would have a supply of something she likes on hand. Peanut butter and jelly is a good one. I would offer her what I was making, and if she didn't want it, she could make a PB&J. I really wanted her to feel welcome in my home and like she wanted to be there, so I wouldn't ever expect her to eat something she doesn't like.
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Permalink Reply by Janet Blake on -
I've been on the flip side of this issue, with my daughter being the picky one. She's now almost 16 years old and she survived, so I feel confident in saying: DO NOT make anything special. If the child eats, she eats. If she doesn't, she doesn't. My daughter, in fact, very, very slowly tried some new things every once in a while. Sometimes, she ate nothing but bread. Or lettuce. I told her the important thing was to eat something and to be gracious and thankful.
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Permalink Reply by Yang Mommy on
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Great points--to be thankful and gracious! But that's a whole other discussion, isn't it? :)
I'd offer her whatever you are making for the family/your daughter. If she doesn't like it, or won't even try it, then she can eat a piece of toast or a banana. Perhaps, you could do a "cooking play date" with the girls and show them something fun to make, which is also "new" to your daughter's friend. Being involved in the cooking process may tempt her more to try new things. And it can be fun for all, too! Good luck!
Janet Blake said:I've been on the flip side of this issue, with my daughter being the picky one. She's now almost 16 years old and she survived, so I feel confident in saying: DO NOT make anything special. If the child eats, she eats. If she doesn't, she doesn't. My daughter, in fact, very, very slowly tried some new things every once in a while. Sometimes, she ate nothing but bread. Or lettuce. I told her the important thing was to eat something and to be gracious and thankful.
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Permalink Reply by Danica Rummell on -
I have my girls try everything. Even if they've tried it before. I would try this with her, and then make her something simple, peanut butter and jelly.
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Permalink Reply by Skyegiggles on -
Other children are guests in my home, and I like to think I am teaching my children how to treat a guest. As such, I do not require other children to eat what I serve, even if my children must. I do require that they taste one bite before they decide if they do/don't like it. Then they may chose whether to eat more or not. I do not prepare special meals for visiting children, but I do try to serve at least one food I think they will like with the meal. I would expect every guest to try what I have served, and would try to serve something that would appeal to any other guest, so I think this is reasonable for visiting children as well. (This is also a great opportunity to teach your child how to be a gracious guest.)
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