ATTENTION PICKY EATERS

Does your child refuse to eat green foods? Does he or she suddenly react to an all-time favorite food with an “I don’t like this” or simply “no”? Are you concerned because your child won’t eat vegetables? Toddlerhood and the preschool years are characterized by bouts of indepen-dence. What appears to be “finicky” eating instead may be your child’s early attempts to be assertive – a natural part of growing up. Arm yourself with these tips for handling what may appear to be the “ups and downs” of child feeding:

Avoid the “short order cook” routine. At mealtime, serve at least one food you know your child likes. But expect your tot to eat the same foods as the rest of the family.

Know that young children often prefer plain foods that they can recognize easily. So “unmix” the food if it’s a problem. Put aside a portion of the ingredients for mixed dishes before assembling the recipe. That even works for a salad or sandwich. Then let children put food together in any way that suits them. Tip: Sometimes they don’t like different foods to “touch” each other.

Get kids involved. Even finicky eaters will more likely eat foods they help make. Small children can wash fresh fruit or put meat between bread slices for sandwiches.

Remember meal planning and grocery shopping. Let your child help plan a meal around favorite foods. Or let children select a new food for the family on trips to the store. Even encourage young children to try ethnic foods when shopping for a new taste sensation.

Children often dislike extreme temperatures. Allow hot food to cool down and cold food to warm up a little before serving.

If your child won’t eat certain foods, perhaps spinach, don’t worry. Just offer foods from the same food group, maybe broccoli or carrots. Foods from the same food group supply similar nutrients.

Moisten dry foods, such as meats, if they’re hard to chew. Perhaps add a little cheese sauce or fruit or vegetable juices. Serve dried foods alongside “naturally” moist foods, such as mashed potatoes or cottage cheese. Offer “dipping” sauces with finger foods – kids love to dip!

Most of all relax. Focus your attention on the positive aspects of your child’s eating behavior, not on your child’s food.

Source: The American Dietetic Association’s Complete Food and Nutrition Guide, 1996.

WHAT CHILDREN NEED MOST FROM THEIR PARENTS

What do children need most from their parents? The same thing since the beginning of time – time, energy, and love. Some things just never change! Energy, a commodity many of us find in short supply, is also truly needed by our children. We need energy to play hard, to be imaginative, to be creative in handling conflicts, and discipline, to teach problem solving, to enjoy each other, and to explore the curiosities of the world together. As with time, energy is needed in all other areas of our lives. At times our children need to be first on our list of energy expenditures.

As with so much parenting, striking this balance requires a clear understanding of our child’s developmental abilities and unique personality. Confidence gives our children the freedom to live their lives knowing that their particular strengths and failings are not a measure of their worth. Don’t you think this characteristic is worth our efforts to develop?

Source: “What Children Need Most from Their Parents.,” by Jean M. Breitenbucher, L.P., Celebrating Children II.

NEW PROBLEMS WITH BABY WALKERS

Today’s baby walkers have safety features like extra-wide bases and trays to prevent a child from getting through doorways or grabbing objects around him. But, these innovations may delay development, suggests a new study. Scientists found that babies who used these new style walkers were slower to sit up, crawl, and walk than other infants. Because the large tray blocks a child’s view of his moving feet and prevents him from exploring objects with his hands, he may be deprived of feedback critical to his physical and mental growth. Though researchers theorize that all the babies in the study who used walkers will catch up with their peers, walkers may cause longer delays, plus balance and alignment problems, for developmentally disabled or premature children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using walkers.

Source: Parents, March 2000.

RECIPE – Pizza on a Roll

In a skillet, brown beef; drain. Stir in sauce and cook 5 minutes. Heat broiler. Place butter and garlic in small cup and microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Split rolls and hollow slightly. Brush with butter mixture and arrange on broiler pan butter-side-up. Broil 6 inches from heat until golden, about 3 minutes. Remove 4 top halves. Fill bottom halves with beef mixture and sprinkle with cheese. Broil until cheese melts; cover with top halves.