Who is in charge?

There are many times when I am debating an issue with my boys and start to wonder who is in charge!!

We have raised these fabulous children full of independent thoughts, intelligence, spirit, and the ability to analyse and argue a point. Then they take those skills and turn them on us 😊

When it comes to the eating realm the effect seems to magnify, particularly when a child is little in age or weight or stature. Feeding can become an area where we gradually start to give over control.

It often happens without us even realising it and is always done with the best of intentions:

1. Volume — If a child is not eating what we deem enough we bend over backwards to support them to do this. Often putting them in charge.

2. Discomfort — If a child finds food uncomfortable, we want to make it easy for them. We do not want to see them anxious around meals or worry whether they will manage the lunchbox. Often putting them in charge.

3. Social occasions — If a child struggles to eat when away from home, we want to make things easier for them. Often putting them in charge.

We blink and suddenly they seem to be in charge of eating!

This can be really challenging, particularly if we want to make changes because *cough*, hello, who is in charge?