Parenting ideas for dealing with picky eaters depend on the understanding that many children who have this condition tend to be sensitive to their mothers' emotions. They see their mothers cry and as a result, they start crying as well. When you notice this in your child, it is important to let him know that his crying is normal. Try and stay calm and reassure him that everything is okay and he will be hungry soon.
Once your child realizes that the crying is out of place, try and make him realize that crying only shows his frustration. If your child picks his own skin and starts picking at himself, you may want to apply ointment to stop the bleeding. This will usually help them get rid of the impulse to itch and scratch. Picky eaters may also get frustrated by things that other kids are doing such as playing with their toys. Parents should teach their children what these things are and what to do if they catch their child doing something that is not appropriate.
If your child's tantrums are getting more frequent, you may want to consider taking him out into another room to wait until he calms down. This may seem like a huge hassle, but it can be one of the best ways to prevent your child from picking his own skin or getting into any mischief. Your child will be so relieved when you take him to another part of the house where there are other people. This way he won't feel like the only child constantly picking his skin and causing trouble.
It is important to remember that picky eaters often have mood swings. Some eaters act more happy and calm, while others may appear more aggressive. To ease your worries, you can create a special play environment in which your child can play. Try to use activities that encourage creativity and imagination. You can also give treats when your child successfully completes a task.
Don't yell or punish your child for being picky. Children often mimic their parents so being as calm and patient as possible, may help your child to become more relaxed about certain behaviors. Try using a food cue stick to tempt your picky eaters to eat by your side. Don't let him waste any food just by refusing it. Once in a while, give him a treat in order to make him want it. Doing this on a regular basis will eventually make your child see that you are patient and caring and he will eventually learn to enjoy the attention.
There are many parenting ideas to deal with picky eaters that involve humor. If you cannot find any humor when your child is upset, then try using your own sense of humor to help console him. When you are angry, your child will see the object of your anger as something that causes him to feel bad. He will learn to avoid your anger instead of feeling better by thinking of something else that makes him feel good instead.
Picky eaters may also have trouble sleeping at night. If your child continually wails when you are trying to get him to fall asleep, then you may want to consider getting him a solid night's sleep so he doesn't wake up crying during the day. Also, consider providing your child with a comfortable bed to sleep in. If he isn't used to sleeping in a bed, he may not get as much sleep as he should.
Parenting ideas to deal with eaters can be difficult. It is important to remember that if you show your frustration in a calm and loving manner, then your child will know that you are patient with him and that you mean well. Also, it is best not to yell or get upset as it may cause more problems for both of you in the long run.
