Picky Eaters Revisited

I am no expert when it comes to what to do with picky eaters.

Believe me-seriously.

As you may remember I have 4 picky eaters that reside in my home.

They frustrate me to no end.

I have not been the best example to them but I have tried.

I love what the Lazy Organizer has to say about picky eaters.

However–

I think her advice only works if you have “normal” children.

From the time my first two kids were babies, we taught them by example to eat their veggies, etc. And they did! Happily! Joyfully!

Hooray!

It looked as if my mother’s curse was not going to be realized.

But then Baby #3 came along. He not only had the good example of his parents but two older siblings to look to.

But he wasn’t buying it.

Baby #3 was not interested in eating much of anything. Most of his food ended up on the floor.

Today, baby #3 is 14 years old. He still isn’t interested in eating much of anything.

And of course, he is starving!

What is a mother to do?

My son has some definite sensory issues going on. Foods literally make him gag. The smell, the texture, the taste.

Personally, I can relate to this.

When I was a kid I remember vomiting within seconds after my mother forced me to eat peas.

Was it all just in my head? I do not think so.

A few short years ago, I decided to try sauerkraut- a new food to me. I was determined to eat it after reading all about the health benefits of eating fermented foods. The smell was nauseating. Did I already mention that I was determined to eat it? Because I was DETERMINED-for my sake and for the sake of setting a good example to my kids. I shoved it in my mouth. I really, sincerely tried to just taste it and love it and swallow it. You know, because I was an adult, a mom, mature. I could do this. I did swallow it. I took another bite and could barely get it down. Then I was literally sick. It took all my will power to not throw it up. I was sick for the rest of the day and swore that never again would that crap pass my lips. Okay, only if I was literally starving and it was the only food on earth would I ever eat that stuff again. Ugh!

No offense if you love sauerkraut but -uh-gross.

Where am I going with this? Well, for one thing, I remember being really frustrated as a kid that no one seemed to get how much certain foods really made me gag. The texture of certain foods was very disturbing to me. This is the first time I am admitting this publicly. This is a secret I have kept from my kids. The truth is: I get it.

Maybe some kids just need a little discipline when it comes to their picky eating habits. Maybe they are just that-habits that need to be re-trained.

Sometimes though it is not because you are wimpy or spoiled or crazy or picky or because of bad parenting.

My son with autism has taught me a lot. One of the things I have learned is that some of us in this world really have huge sensory issues. They are not just in our head. They are real. They are something we have to learn to deal with the best we can.

The trick is just how do you do that?

I do not know the answer to that.

But I am starting to figure out that it sure helps to have those things validated.

That and blending up veggies and hiding them in their repertoire of acceptable foods….try it.

2 Comments

1. heathermommy
   Posted July 2, 2010 at 8:57 am

   i was force fed sauerkraut for 6 months of my life, so i hear you. on top of the sauerkraut i had to eat pork so i don’t really know how i survived that.

   i think evie has these sensory issues too and i see it play out in her eating as well. i guess i should be more understanding.

2. ginger
   Posted August 6, 2010 at 9:18 am

   I hear you Jen, the texture of applesauce makes me gag. No idea why, but it has since I was a kid.