This is what a parent recently said to me while sitting in my office. I had seen this family during the summer for help with their 11 year old’s picky eating. Mom and dad were really frustrated. Meals were stressful and they were nagging their kiddo to eat. They tried negotiating, bribing, encouragement, education about the importance of eating certain foods—nothing was helping. These parents were feeling really defeated and it showed.

After learning about their family, we settled on a strategy I call “Say Less“. Say less about what your kiddo is eating, not eating, should be eating or used to eat. Say less about what other kids their age eat. Say less about the nutritional benefit of certain foods (veggies). Don’t encourage, celebrate, badger, threaten or otherwise try to get them to eat or not eat.

“Saying Less” is not going to magically get your kiddo to be less picky, but it will reduce stress at mealtimes, which is the first step in making meals more enjoyable, which may allow your kiddo to branch out.

Saying less is hard! But these parents did it and saw results. Let me know if you’d like some support in parenting your picky eater.

Reach out for a Parent Coaching Call if you’d like more support on your quest to feed your family with less fuss.

Snack Idea: “Snacky Plate” (a little bit of fruit, a little bit of cheese, a slice of deli meat, a few nuts, a couple of crackers—whatever you have on hand)

Please feel free to share this with someone who may like to learn more about feeding kiddos!