Trying to figure out if my kid's picky eating is normal or if I'm failing | DadHQ

Trying to figure out if my kid's picky eating is normal or if I'm failing

2w ago1 min read

My 5yo will eat like 6 things: chicken nuggets, pasta, apples, PB&J, cereal, cheese. That's it. I know I'm probably not supposed to cater to it but making two separate dinners every night is exhausting ngl. My older daughter ate everything as a kid so I have no baseline. Is this just a phase or should I be more strict about it? Genuinely asking because I'm tired of stressing about this.

6 comments170 views

Comments(6)

PPaul T.Regular2w ago

The separate dinners is the trap. Kids will absolutely eat what you made if they're actually hungry and there's no alternative. Feels mean but it works and teaches them that dinner is dinner.

MMike T.Regular2w ago

honestly the fact that he'll eat apples and PB&J means he gets vegetables and protein. could be way worse. the nuggets and pasta are fine in moderation. you're probably not failing, just exhausted.

RRuben A.New Dad2w ago

Six foods isn't great but it's not catastrophic. Kids sometimes expand their palate naturally as they get older. Making two dinners every night is unsustainable though—that's on you to set a boundary, not on him.

GGreg H.Regular1w ago

My oldest was the same. Picky as hell until like age 7, now eats almost everything. Pediatrician said as long as he's healthy and growing, don't stress it. Stop making separate meals though. One dinner, he eats it or he gets fruit/bread, that's it.

GGreg M.Regular1w ago

does he help pick out or cook any of the food? sometimes picky kids will try stuff if they had a hand in making it. Not a cure-all but might get him willing to try a 7th thing

BBen L.Regular1w ago

That's not failing, that's pretty normal for a 5yo. Picky eating is super common at that age. The two dinners thing would drive me crazy though—have you tried the 'here's what's for dinner, eat it or don't' approach?