Sometimes I’m on top of the parenting scale, feeling so good that I’m getting it right. And then, then next day, I learn something new and realize my brilliant parenting wasn’t so brilliant.
My latest mistake involves my darling tween-daughter Tabs. I’ve struggled with her picky eating habits since the day she was 6 months old and I tried her on rice cereal. I even wrote a blog post proclaiming I’d solved the issue. I was excited because I was trying a new tough-love stance: How My Dog Taught Me How To Be A Better Parent. I decided she had to try whatever was offered for supper before leaving the table. Sometimes it involved only a bite of something, but still she resisted.
My new tough, dog-training inspired tactics were bogus. I talked to a nutritionist last night (we had a 45 minute appointment via telephone). The table should be a place of joy and my daughter should never have to eat or try anything unless she decides to. I should offer at least 2 things (that I know she’ll eat) at each meal and not worry if she touches anything else.
The nutritionist was also was able to discern that Tabitha seems to have issues with food textures and this could be the route of her picky eating. Apparently, an occupational therapists can help us with this–it’s worth a try.
My path of successful parenting has mountains and valleys. However, the one thing I know I am doing right, is that I never give up on an issue until it is solved. If my kids have a problem in any way, I go to the end of the earth to help them (and me) find a solution. Through perseverance, I continue to educate myself and eventually I will find some way to solve the issue.
I’m still on the seeking-answers path for Tabs and her eating…but at least I’ll never stop until the issue resolves itself.
*For more New Orleans pictures go to : The French Quarter, New Orleans
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