Help! My Kids Will Only Eat Junk Food! Tip from the Love and Logic® Experts
Do you know any kids who choose junk over good food every chance they get? What can parents and caregivers do to steer kids toward healthier choices without becoming helicopter or drill sergeant parents?
Let's look at a few ideas from the Love and Logic menu:
- Provide a good example. Fortunately, we have control over the powerful example we set with food.
- Offer choices. Some adults find success in offering two good options and letting kids choose: "Would you like apples or carrot sticks for your snack?"
- Use enforceable statements. Many Love and Logic parents have found "go-to" enforceable statements beginning with these phrases: "I provide…, We provide…, We buy…" or "Feel free to…" For example: "We provide healthy snacks in our house. Feel free to buy other snacks with your allowance."
- Share the thinking. If unhealthy eating has become a problem, experiment with asking some loving questions such as: "What do you think you can do about this?" or "Can you think of some better ways to take care of your body?"
- Be prepared to neutralize arguing. When we start setting limits with food, our kids aren't going to thank us - especially at first. Wise parents are ready for the resistance with a handy one-liner. "I love you too much to argue" is my favorite.
For more tips on avoiding unwinnable power-struggles and arguments, listen to Avoiding Power Struggles with Kids.
Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.
Jedd Hafer
©2011 Love and Logic Institute, Inc.
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