Xander Week 93 – The Great Hunger Strike
October 8, 2008
About a two weeks ago Xander decided that he did not need anything besides chocolate milk in order to function. We continue offering 3 meals a day and snacks, and we’ve limited him to one sippy cup of chocolate milk in the mornings when he gets up, and one when he gets home from day care, and he continues to refuse food. I admire his restraint – it would be one heck of a diet plan for an adult. And I think so far we’ve handled the hunger strike pretty well – we offer the food, but don’t force it, and if he wants to get down from the table and play, that’s fine, but we won’t get down and play with him until we’re done eating (this often frustrates him, and sometimes results in tears, but we’ve remained consistent in telling him no).
I know that this is just a phase, and someday he’ll like food again, but it’s secretly driving me nuts! We work hard to find meals that we’ll all enjoy, and we usually have a good time sitting at the table for dinner. Not to mention, I cannot figure out how he’s managing to stand, let alone run around. And even though I think I’m doing an ok job parenting this phase, I still feel bad that his little body isn’t getting the nutrients that it should, and we’re heading into week three of this phase. How many more weeks can we do this?
Ah, yes. The hunger strike. We are often facing a strike at our house as well. Things that were last week Emily’s favorite food will next week be something she won’t eat at all. Sometimes, no food at all is good enough. It seems that you are navigating this well Sara. I always worry about the nutrients, etc. like you but as my daycare provider always reminds me, toddlers are just little people; When they get hungry enough, they will eat and a short period of time where they only eat (or drink) one thing is not going to stunt their growth, damage their brain development or any other thing our speeding mommy minds may think up. I feel your pain! Good luck.
Thanks for the encouragement Mary – it’s nice to know that there are other moms out there feeling the same frustration. It sounds like you’ve got a pretty smart day care provider, I’ll just have to remember that temporary preferences aren’t going to permanently damage growth or development. I hope your hunger strikes are going well too