Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Extension Service

Barbara A. Holt, Ph.D.

Clark County Extension Agent-

Family and Consumer Sciences

Cooperative Extension Service

In today?s busy world, the furthest thing from the typical family?s mind is gathering around the supper table at the end of the day. It takes a valiant effort to get everyone to the table in one piece. After throwing together a quick meal, the family finally sits down to a ?relaxing dinner.? The last thing a frazzled mom or dad wants to hear is the voice of one of the children protesting at the meal before them. The tendency to nag that child for not cleaning his plate or for picking at her food is very realistic.

How can a mom or dad make this so-called ?best time of the day? really worthwhile for all parties involved? Look for the best in every situation that may present itself at the supper table. More times than not, you and your child will end up arguing over what?s for dinner. It is necessary to emphasize that your reaction to the child?s objections can make a lifelong impact on his/her eating habits.

Do not force the child to eat something against his will. Sometimes parents insist that their child eat a food because it is nutritious or because there is a lot of it. Perhaps the child really does not like the food or just is not hungry. It?s okay to dislike food that?s good for you. Compromise. Work with the child to find a nutritious substitute. Allow them to choose between different dishes. If the child is ?too full? to eat, give him the benefit of the doubt. Children grow at a rapid rate. As they pass through growth spurts, children?s eating patterns vary. They cannot be expected to eat consistently at every meal.

It is okay to show concern for the child?s general well-being, but to force the child into eating something that he doesn?t want to builds a grudge not only against the food in question, but also the family member(s) present.

It is important to realize that food should not be used as a reward or punishment. Children cannot distinguish between the food and the lesson associated with the food. For example, a child may tell himself that he despises milk because he could not leave the table until he drank it all.

It is not uncommon for children to enter into ?food jags.? Food jags are spurts in which the child finds a food that he likes and sticks with it for a couple of days. For instance, a child realizes his love for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. For three days straight, the child eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at every meal. Parents should not show too much concern for their children. Although it is very important for the child to eat balanced meals, it is unrealistic to expect a child to try something else, but if he will not be swayed, let it rest. He?ll come around in due time.

Most importantly, don?t get completely tied up in the rules and regulations of ?supper time.? If a problem arises, play along and together, work out a solution. Mealtime is fun. Catch up on the day?s events and enjoy the time that you have together. Here is the place where memories are made.

For more information, contact the Extension office, 246-2281.