Mealtimes - The Vegetable Wars

With our three little ones at the table mealtimes are rarely a civilised affair. Even keeping them at the table is a huge battle. I have great admiration and envy for friends whose children eat what they are given. In theory I always thought it seemed so simple: if the child doesn't eat the right food then they go hungry until they learn. The reality is quite different (at least in our household). The children gobble up certain meals and turn their noses up at other things. They also have amazing willpower and will battle out almost anything with you.

Our now 4 year old daughter sat for 45 minutes with a small piece of broccoli in her mouth, refusing to chew or swallow it. I nearly broke and gave up altogether, but after what seemed like being trapped in purgatory watching a sad child, she finally gave in and snaffled it down. The following day she was as good as gold and ate a piece of broccoli with no trouble. We still seem to have to repeat a lesser version of this every so often to remind her that vegetables need eating but it is finally a little easier.

Enjoying a picnic at Bicton Park

Out of the entire range of delicious fruit on offer, she will only countenance eating bananas (sometimes) and boiled slices of apple (and raisins - do they count?). But as she takes those willingly I am encouraging her to eat them. As vegetables go she will eat tiny quantities of broccoli, cauliflower and the occasional pea.

Most days by children are served healthy meals with a good helping of vegetables. Somehow I've satisfied myself with that and not watched too closely as to how much is being consumed. Although we have gotten somewhere with the eldest, our second child is the next one whose eating habits need to be tackled. He has just turned 2, and is only recently starting to speak at all. His lack of ability to have a conversation about eating has definitely made us feel less able to strike bargains, eg one spoonful of peas and then you can have a yoghurt. We've tried, but he just looks confused and sad and then sobs loudly. As his communication is now improving we are starting again and he seems to get the idea (although he refuses to eat any vegetables). He is a good eater generally and will happily eat potatoes, pasta, cheese and eggs.

Perhaps in many ways it is the parents who have to feel ready and able to do battle with fussy children. Summoning the energy to sit through another mealtime can take some effort. However, when all 5 of us sit down as a family at dinnertime it is a lovely chance to be together and share some time. We are still trying to enforce the rule of sitting at the table until everyone has finished, but at least sitting together and chatting about our day creates a bond of family unity.

It would be great to hear any mealtime victories that you have had...