LadyJane wrote:


> I firmly believe that there are no fussy eaters (where children are
> concerned) just dead lazy parents who can not be bothered to introduce
> or experiment with food where their children are concerned. My kids
> LOVE all foods - because they've been encouraged to try all sorts of
> different dishes. They may not like them, but they will at least try
> and then make a judgement. Getting kids to at least 'try' different
> foods is half the battle in broadening their tastes. IMHO


I was refusing to eat as a small child. My parents would set a timer if
we refused to eat our dinner (usually the vegetables). My brother and
sister would wait the half hour and then eat it in a hurry. Even as a 5
year old, I would go to my room and get ready for bed as they went to
get the time. If I didn't like it, I did NOT eat it.

They certainly offered plenty of variety. And good home-cooked meals.
The problem is that I am oversensitive to certain textures and flavors.
I wasn't able to explain it back then as I was too young. But certain
foods made me gag, and others just bothered me a lot. I still don't eat
most of them.

When I went to camp, they served oatmeal for breakfast, an item that
makes me gag. I asked for cereal. They said I had to take 3 bites of
the oatmeal first. I skipped breakfast that day. I didn't argue. I just
wasn't going to eat those 3 bites.The next morning, they gave me
cereal.

I do try a lot more things than I used to, unless it contains an item I
know I won't eat. My Chinese co-workers have brought in many things
that are new to me, and I have tried most of them. I like some and
don't like some. But I do give most of it a try.

I agree that parents need to offer a lot of variety of real food to see
what their kids like. But I wouldn't blame them automatically for a
picky child. Some kids really are picky from the beginning.