HELP with 7 year old not eating ANYTHING!!

[Trillian]

She will eat some fruits and the occasional cheese sandwich, but when it comes to tea time she wont eat any meat (except on taco night) and just picks at her veggies and constantly harrasses us for an hour until we crack and give in and send her to bed. (Iknow that's not the right thing to do, but I am at my wits end!!!)

It sounds to me like this is a power struggle to her - now I know that is as cheesy as a Dr Phil episode, but that's what it sounds like. She might be starving hungry, but she has 'won' the battle by making you send her to her room kwim? Have you tried setting up a eating plan - where you sit down together and work out what she can eat for the week, like put down where all her snacks will go and if she eats her main meal without complaint, then she can choose a snack of her choice for later in the week? If you show that you are giving her some 'control' over what see eats, she may be a bit more co operative with you. It could also make her feel like she is growing up and being treated with respect if she is allowed to help plan the weekly meals.

Good luck

[Baby~amore`]

i really like Sherie's idea - sounds very Dr Phil but absolutely perfect.

Giving her some control and the option of two choices ... and healthy homemade junk food like do you want Tacos or healthy home made pizza on Monday night ... homemade crumbed chicken and oven baked wedges/carrot sticks - and into the bargain you & DH chose their favourite another night with her in agreement that everyone gets a turn.

Then maybe a star chart with reward (special treats/snacks/book/outing) if she has a week of attempting to eat most meals.

Maybe go out with her and buy a kids cookbook /apron etc to get her more invloved and get her to help write shopping list or tick off things.

My cousin now almost 22 lived for years pretty much on a processed chesse sandwich and the Drs told my Aunt she would be fine.She grew but she was stick thin back then now she is normal.

It can be a battle sometimes with kids - with Mums determined to do best for the children but they can't win against all the junk food ads (KFC/Red rooster).

Goodluck.