I am so fed up with Owen and his non-eating habits. I try so hard not to let it bother me but some days I just want to scream.
Tonight we had Bulgogi—marinated flank steak. We’ve had it before and he LOVED it (granted, it was probably 1.5-2 years ago when he might still try new things) so we wanted him to try it again and he just flat out refuses. Shakes his head no, waves his hands in front of his face, growls NOOO at us…the whole nine yards. We used to be able to bribe him with a treat if he tried something and that doesn’t even work anymore. :**:
I’ve read all the things that are supposed to work and they don’t:
- I put some [of whatever] on his plate with his other food…and he just ignores it.
- I put out the same food (or just offer it) over and over and over and over in case it takes 20 times. He never tries it.
- I can’t be sneaky and hide food in what he eats…because he eats nothing I can hide other stuff in (like mashed potatoes or Mac and cheese or meatballs or hamburgers or spaghetti).
- I can’t fool him with toppings hid on pizza under cheese–he takes them off.
- He notices smashed fruit in his yogurt and won’t eat it.
- He didn’t even like the strawberry freezer jam I made—which had nothing hiding, it was just different.
I’ve pretty much given up reading articles on the subject because every one ends up being completely laughable to me.
I keep telling myself he’ll grow out of it, but it’s been so long already with no change in sight (and it’s actually gotten worse!) that I really have no hope. I keep thinking he’ll better understand compromise or bargaining as he gets older, but he doesn’t seem to have a clue.
Tonight we eventually told him there would be no iPad until he tried a new food…and that didn’t even work. And he LIVES for the iPad. Then I feel guilty for doing that…but I feel we have to try all sorts of options. But now I can’t give him the iPad because I cant give in. I expect tantrums.
In my pissed off moments I want to try the giving-him-only-what-we’re-eating thing again, as a take it or leave it meal…but then I feel guilty even thinking about doing that because what if he really does have some major issue with food that we just haven’t figured out yet?
Being pregnant and super emotional doesn’t help any of this, either.
I am just sooooo tired of dealing with this. Yes, I know it could STILL be worse, but as I said, there are just days when it overwhelms me.