First time foster parent vs experienced - picky eating with toddler #fostercare #fosterparent

Caring for a picky eater? Here are some considerations. Entering foster care is an incredibly overwhelming and traumatizing experience for kids. We may find that eating times are difficult for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they are not familiar with the food you cook, or dont have experience with eating certain foods. They may also have experienced food insecurity or abuse related to food. Or perhaps they dont have much of an appetite given everything going on in their life. 💛 Consider meeting them where they are at and building in variety in low pressure, connective ways. 💛

How do you support picky eating in your home? There are SO many ways we can help kids, and every kid needs something different. Let me know in the comments below! ⬇️

#fosterparent #fosterparenting #fosterchild #toddler #pickyeating

[Odurs]

"Take a bite, if you don't like it, you can spit it out" was a game changer for me as a picky eater. It gave me the freedom to try new foods without pressure.

[Just_One_Tree]

Great advice! Many parents/caregivers act like eating veggies is a chore or punishment, then get annoyed when their child doesn’t want to eat it…

[AngelOfTheLord]

Thank you for making the tone of the "first time" one kind and gentle. It really showcases how even well-meaning tactics can induce anxiety and put a ton of pressure on the situation.

[candiedcrusader]

Thank you for not comically portraying the wrong parenting technique. It helps people notice when they could be doing the wrong thing.

[zevra]

"exaggerated praise can also feel like pressure" YES it's so great to see someone talk about that! It sounds so backwards but I struggled with a lot of things as a kid (like saying "I love you" or addressing adults by name) specifically because people make too big a deal out of it when I did them. It's such an easy mistake to make when you're just trying to be encouraging

[abandoned__]

i feel a new kind of safe watching these videos

[juliaguo]

pressure creates rigidity. choice creates flexibility. this is such a heartful, thoughtful approach ❤

[novabean]

I know you’re generally giving tips for foster parents but as a parent of a VERY picky eater this is so helpful😭

[Poli.Zygotikk]

My nephew is autistic. His parents try, but they can't get him to try different foods. When I see reels like this, I apply them to offering him new and different foods. And they work! Your videos have been a godsend, so thank you for the information and the confidence! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[depressoespresso]

omg doing "i was gonna do this anyways, do you wanna try with me?" instead of "you _have_ to do this" is an absolutely incredible thing i love that

[ashleyapar]

Love that offering the new food is presented as “I AM having this…would you like some too?” Some kids may not trust something they’ve never had or seen others have

[tracyhill]

It's so important to remember what your normal is may be totally foreign to a foster child. ❤ Respect and love are earned by providing nurturing and safety.

[heatherlynn]

This is awesome. This approach also works with my toddler! She actually saw me eating a salad today and asked to have one, and ended up trying the lettuce and tomato— she at all of the tomatoes! No pressure is the way to go

[tucky]

“Exaggerated praise can feel like pressure “ 🤯💯

[leahvigs]

“exaggerated praise can feel like pressure” holy crap??? i’ve never heard anyone say that before but it’s SO TRUE and explains why i’ve always hated being praised 😭

[charlicharli.]

As a person who has been in foster care for over 11 years, this is very good advice and very helpful when building trust.

[sarahwatkinsevans]

This. Nothing has helped my anxious, skinny son eat.more than downplaying the heckidehooha out of mealtimes and food.

[CaeliaKala]

this is great advice, not only for foster parents but for new parents as well, offering choices and providing visuals is a great technique

[ToxicKittiSP]

Great advice, my mother just got a kid to foster a week ago that has been neglected and only ate 3 foods for their entire lives. I showed this to her her, and she wants to thank you so much!

[MirandaLangley-whvv]

Thank you for pointing out how important offering a foster child choices it helps them feel like they have more control in there life and builds a healthy relationship ❤❤