Seeking Help with Pre Schooler.

Hello there! I have the same problem with my 3 yr old daughter. After the 2nd time of her doing this I give her 2 choices with meals and whatever one she says first then that is what is given to her. She may or may not throw a temper tantrum but she has learned that eating time is not play time. Not usre if this helps but just thought I'd let you know that you are not alone. Also about it seeing being very hot outside I agree. I got sooo tired of the kids having toys all over the place that I started searching for indoor places to take them. I found one and its awesome. I took my kids Saturday and they had a blast. The place is called Kidz Rule and its on Cimaron and Warm Springs. They have a webiste if you'd like to check it out. www.kidzrule.com Have fun!

My son does the same thing and he is almost 3. I think it is a control thing. Usually I give him two choices for instance cereal or eggs and toast. Once he has decided he cannot go back. If he doesn't want to eat it, he doesn't get anything else. He also takes hours to eat his food, getting up and down from the table over and over. I have started telling him when the buzzer goes off dinner is over. When it beeps I take his plate regardless of how much is left. I figure he is going to eat what he wants within a half hour. He ususally cries and says he wants his dinner, but I take it. The rest of the family is usually done eating way before that time. I let him know that I will be taking his plate when the buzzer goes off so that he has a warning. Then he can choose what or how much he is going to eat. Kids that age will not starve. They will eat if they are hungry. I think it is a control thing. Give him the opportunity and then don't go back .

You have given him too many choices. Read the book "Meals without Squeals" by Christine Berman. It describes that there are one job for the parents: Provide Healthy food for the child at given times (two snacks and 3 meals). There are two jobs for the child: To eat the food and to decide how much they are going to eat. You are too easy at meal times...you need to lay down the law. Still make eating time enjoyable, but set rules and stick to them. You decide what to make, and he'll decide to eat it or not. If he doesn't eat it, then he won't eat anything until the next meal or snack time. Set table manners, the child will eat and if they don't want to eat what is provided they need to sit with the family and enjoy conversation until they are excused from the table. If these guidelines are not met, then they need to know there will be consequences. If they are throwing a fit, then you tell them that is not acceptable behavior at the dinner table and remove them, take them to their room or timeout corner. I prefer a room because I tell my daughter that we don't want to listen to her screaming, but she can scream in her room with the door shut if she wants to and she can come out when her attitude has changed. It works like a charm. You need to let the child know you are the one in charge (with loving guidance) and don't let them push you around. If you watch SuperNanny she is the perfect example of what to do...she is very firm, but loving.

That little one is playing the two of you. What I would do is serve the first thing requested and that is it and then explain that he asked for it and that is what he will eat or he won't eat at all. I don't care for the whole starving kids thing, but as long as you know it is something he has liked in the past, I would just put it in front of him and walk away.

My little girl does that in the stores a lot. She tells me she is not leaving and she wants to stay there. I ask a couple of times and then tell her, "Okay, I have to go" and start walking out. She is only seconds away from being right behind me.