Help with 8 and 4 year old
Capt_Apollo
Posts: 9,026 Member
So i have two girls, and 8 and a 4 year old. I need to really help them with proper eating. the 4 year old isn't much of a breakfast eater, but has started eating a little more heartily in the morning. the older one never had a problem eating first thing.
the older one is a little heavier, and i'm trying to get her to eat a little less. the younger one is just a bottomless pit and can eat anything.
the problem comes at night, as i only feed them twice a day. at night, the younger one is going crazy crying and screaming her head off. i try and make them wait until meal time, but the crying just gets to me, and i might feed them both a little early.
another problem occurs with the older one. she eats so fast that sometimes she throws up a few minutes after dinner. but the reason she eats fast is because the little one kinda steals her food sometimes.
so, any help on getting them to slow down their eating and being better at waiting for meals??
the older one is a little heavier, and i'm trying to get her to eat a little less. the younger one is just a bottomless pit and can eat anything.
the problem comes at night, as i only feed them twice a day. at night, the younger one is going crazy crying and screaming her head off. i try and make them wait until meal time, but the crying just gets to me, and i might feed them both a little early.
another problem occurs with the older one. she eats so fast that sometimes she throws up a few minutes after dinner. but the reason she eats fast is because the little one kinda steals her food sometimes.
so, any help on getting them to slow down their eating and being better at waiting for meals??
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Replies
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Give them a Flintstone vitamin first thing in the morning. That should do the trick.0
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So i have two girls, and 8 and a 4 year old. I need to really help them with proper eating. the 4 year old isn't much of a breakfast eater, but has started eating a little more heartily in the morning. the older one never had a problem eating first thing.
the older one is a little heavier, and i'm trying to get her to eat a little less. the younger one is just a bottomless pit and can eat anything.
the problem comes at night, as i only feed them twice a day. at night, the younger one is going crazy crying and screaming her head off. i try and make them wait until meal time, but the crying just gets to me, and i might feed them both a little early.
another problem occurs with the older one. she eats so fast that sometimes she throws up a few minutes after dinner. but the reason she eats fast is because the little one kinda steals her food sometimes.
so, any help on getting them to slow down their eating and being better at waiting for meals??
When I was kid I ate when it was meal time and I ate what my folks put on my plate. If I didn't like it, I went to bed hungry.
You gotta be the parent, don't let your kids manipulate you. You set the rules and they abide by them. They don't want breakfast? Too bad...they're gonna eat it.
And, good Lord, how fast does your child have to be consuming food that they're throwing up immediately after dinner? You probably need to get a handle on that real quick.0 -
can you cut down the heavier one to one meal a day?0
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can you cut down the heavier one to one meal a day?
jesus, i'm not a monster0 -
So glad someone posted this...My friend has a similar problem with her 2 boys...except it's the younger one who eats way too fast. He doesn't puke though...he just tries to steal the older ones food. Even when they get the occasional snack, the younger one just inhales it and shoves the older one out of the way.0
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So i have two girls, and 8 and a 4 year old. I need to really help them with proper eating. the 4 year old isn't much of a breakfast eater, but has started eating a little more heartily in the morning. the older one never had a problem eating first thing.
the older one is a little heavier, and i'm trying to get her to eat a little less. the younger one is just a bottomless pit and can eat anything.
the problem comes at night, as i only feed them twice a day. at night, the younger one is going crazy crying and screaming her head off. i try and make them wait until meal time, but the crying just gets to me, and i might feed them both a little early.
another problem occurs with the older one. she eats so fast that sometimes she throws up a few minutes after dinner. but the reason she eats fast is because the little one kinda steals her food sometimes.
so, any help on getting them to slow down their eating and being better at waiting for meals??
And, good Lord, how fast does your child have to be consuming food that they're throwing up immediately after dinner? You probably need to get a handle on that real quick.
Um, he's obviously asking for help on how to do that...0 -
can you cut down the heavier one to one meal a day?
jesus, i'm not a monster
Well, in my house, my 12 and 10 year old girls get dinner only. They're doing great like that! Totally healthy!0 -
Do you have a McDonalds close?? Make the older one run along side of the car while you and the younger one drive to McDonalds. Order a #1 AND a 20pc Nugget for the younger one and a Diet Coke and salad (no dressing) for the older one to eat once you arrive back to the house (she has to run both ways for her nightly meal)0
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When the younger one starts crying for the evening feeding, maybe give her a little snack. You might have to distract the older one, though.
You can also encourage the older one to play more, which will help her get a bit thinner. She might also need a supplement to keep her from puking.0 -
Do you have a McDonalds close?? Make the older one run along side of the car while you and the younger one drive to McDonalds. Order a #1 AND a 20pc Nugget for the younger one and a Diet Coke and salad (no dressing) for the older one to eat once you arrive back to the house (she has to run both ways for her nightly meal)
serious answers only please0 -
Free feed.
If they know food is always there they won't eat so fast or as much and won't puke it back up0 -
Do you have a McDonalds close?? Make the older one run along side of the car while you and the younger one drive to McDonalds. Order a #1 AND a 20pc Nugget for the younger one and a Diet Coke and salad (no dressing) for the older one to eat once you arrive back to the house (she has to run both ways for her nightly meal)
The OP was asking for help, not a trip to prison!0 -
Honestly to slow down the consumption you are going to have to introduce snacks and only eating twice a day I am not shocked that they are famished and speedy eating/stealing off the siblings plate.
More filling meals that take time to eat, having snacks through out the day that are easy for them to grab and go with (my daughter can open yogurt, find a spoon and grab some fruit out of the fridge by herself and eat it quietly and without mess and dispose of the left overs and she just turned 4 in november, your daughters should both be able to do the same) also having foods that can go with them (snack packs and what not) are a great thing. If you can find the time, do outdoor activies that help your older daughter to be more active so that you can use activity to control her weight instead.
If you continue to have problems with weight after doing this then you might needs to see a registered dietician and a pediatrician to find out what is going on and what your options are.0 -
I am assuming that there is a school lunch in there somewhere. What happened to three square meals a day?
consider adding activity to the routine rather than withholding food will get better results. Withholding foods can create more food issues than you know.
Younger child eating too fast - split the portion into two plates, she can goggle the first, have a drink of milk or water and then have the second. Same food, longer period to eat0 -
They are 8 and 4, tell them when and what they are going to eat. It doesn't matter that one is heavier as long as they are not obese (or has binging issues with food), they will grow out of puppy fat
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I am assuming that there is a school lunch in there somewhere. What happened to three square meals a day?
consider adding activity to the routine rather than withholding food will get better results. Withholding foods can create more food issues than you know.
Younger child eating too fast - split the portion into two plates, she can goggle the first, have a drink of milk or water and then have the second. Same food, longer period to eat
they do like milk0 -
Is the topic serious? I get the feeling that the joke's on us - that you're talking about your cats or dogs.serious answers only please0 -
Is the topic serious? I get the feeling that the joke's on us - that you're talking about your cats or dogs.serious answers only please
After their last answer I am getting that too...0 -
Why are you allowing one child to take food from your other child?? That's just not acceptable. For your fast eater, maybe try to give them very small portions, wait a few minutes during meal time, give them a bit more, wait a few minutes, etc until they get the proper portion, just in smaller increments. Sounds like a behavior problem for both kids, IMO, and setting some firmer rules at meal time would likely solve the problem.0
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First of all, split them up at the dinner table, that is keep them as much apart as possible by the kitchen table that way they should be able to relax and eat normally.
If they are so hungry then give them fruits or vegetables. If they don´t want that then they are not hungry. You are the parent, you are the one in control so take control.0 -
My kids are 6, 5, 3, and 2. They eat several times throughout the day. I make them breakfast, lunch and dinner. But in between meals they can have as much broccoli, spinach, carrots and other veggies as they choose. They are all healthy, and never whine for food 0
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I am assuming that there is a school lunch in there somewhere. What happened to three square meals a day?
consider adding activity to the routine rather than withholding food will get better results. Withholding foods can create more food issues than you know.
Younger child eating too fast - split the portion into two plates, she can goggle the first, have a drink of milk or water and then have the second. Same food, longer period to eat
they do like milk
milk and tuna...
ensure their food contains taurine. As you must know, it is essential in their diets and any food made for them should contain it.
Also, if you brush her hair often, she will throw up less.0 -
can you cut down the heavier one to one meal a day?
jesus, i'm not a monster
REALLY did u just ask her to cut her 8 yr old to one meal a day?? who does that.. we all know we should eat atleast 3 times a day.
Make healthier selections and if they have snacks just switch to healthier snack. My 6 yr old daughter is over weight. I stopped buying sugary drinks and bought water and they put packets of crystal light or sugar free drinks in them for flavor, stocked up on fruit and veggies and if they are hungry or want a snack then they will eat it. I dont make my kids eat something they dont like but i atleast have them try it. Most of the time it turns out they do like it. I also have a 12 yr old son and hes too skinny. But i made these slight changes for the both of them so my daughter didnt feel it was only her. I do the same as well.. we only drink water and they will drink milk in the morning.
As for you lil one taking the older ones food try separating them at dinner. have them sit acrossed the table from one another. Good Luck!0 -
My thoughts in case it helps....I think making a routine for their eating habits is your best bet. They are old enough to tell you what they like, but not old enough to decide how and what to eat for their meals on a consistent basis. This is the perfect time to start showing them good eating habits. You decide what they should be eating, at what time and tell them what will happen. You may have to endure a few days, even a week of extra whining, but in the end they will realize that when you say it's time to eat, then it's time to eat. Of course when they go through a growth spurt they are naturally going to be bottomless pits. In those cases, just have lots of healthy snacks that they can choose from. My kids (9 and 4) have a shelf in the fridge that has snacks they can go in and grab anytime they feel hungry and it's not a normal meal time; apples, carrot sticks, yogurts, all things I know they will eat and they can grab without my help and I don't worry about them eating. I've read giving them one night a week to pick the dinner also helps them learn how to eat properly.
With them stealing each others food and what not...it sounds like they may be feeling a little out of control. Maybe a routine will help them know what to expect and calm them down a bit....0 -
Is this question really serious? I can't tell after the OP's last response.
If it is serious, why on earth are you only feeding your kids twice a day? No wonder they are starving and wolfing down their food! Feed them three healthy meals and a couple sensible snacks through the day. Maybe if they are eating more regularly, they won't be absolutely starving by dinner time!!
The more you try and limit their food, the more food will become an issue for them. Teach them to eat moderate portions of healthy food. Don't make food out to be evil. Also, allow them to be kids as well and eat chicken nuggets and pizza like their friends. Just teach them that stuff is a treat and not an every day occurrence.
I suspect that once you get them eating good food on a regular schedule, your younger one's wolfing to the point of throwing up may fix itself. She's HUNGRY! If that doesn't fix it, call her doctor!0 -
This is my opinion:
I feel that a child of such a young age needs Breakfast, Lunch and dinner. If you want to give them a snack between breakfast and dinner I would offer fresh fruit , carrots celery broccoli . Only healthy snacks.
As for the child that eats so fast because the other one will steal her food, don't they get seperate plates?
I feel as though a child should have some sort of snack before bed. It helps them sleep better.
The vitamin also sounds like a good idea!0 -
I say feed them more often. My kids eat 4 to 5 times a day, like me. Sit at the table together and set the example of how to eat properly. Remember, growing kids need more calories than you think so don't restrict their calories, but restrict the types of food and amount. Also, I would not force breakfast on a kid who doesn't want it.
Fruits and vegetable snacks
Cheese sticks
yogurt
and lots of water.0 -
Are they having an afternoon snack? My daughter (8) gets a small snack after school around 4pm. Then she eats dinner with us at 5:45pm. We have never and will never make separate meals for her. She eats what we eat. We weigh out her portion like we weigh our own. If she doesn't like the meal or is hungry after dinner, her only option is fruit (occasionally she gets dessert).
I think food selection is important. Try to find snacks with protein so that they are not eating tons of carbs which essentially do nothing for holding you over between meals.0 -
Honestly to slow down the consumption you are going to have to introduce snacks and only eating twice a day I am not shocked that they are famished and speedy eating/stealing off the siblings plate.
More filling meals that take time to eat, having snacks through out the day that are easy for them to grab and go with (my daughter can open yogurt, find a spoon and grab some fruit out of the fridge by herself and eat it quietly and without mess and dispose of the left overs and she just turned 4 in november, your daughters should both be able to do the same) also having foods that can go with them (snack packs and what not) are a great thing. If you can find the time, do outdoor activies that help your older daughter to be more active so that you can use activity to control her weight instead.
If you continue to have problems with weight after doing this then you might needs to see a registered dietician and a pediatrician to find out what is going on and what your options are.
^^^This. I have three girls at home: 5, 9, 12. They eat a good breakfast and we pack them a lunch for school (school lunches are crap!) and they have a healthy snack when they get home from school (banana, apples, veggies) and then they have dinner.
I can't imagine feeding my kids only 2 times a day. Their behavior (because of blood sugar levels) is always horrid when they don't eat. If you give them healthy snack options they will most likely eat less at dinner but it avoids the spiking and crashing of their blood sugar.0 -
just leave a huge bowl of food on the floor and let them eat at will. That's what I do and they fight a lot less now and I don't get woke up in the morning by a slap in the face asking for food...0
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