LisaGreene
New member
Hi Dana,
There are so many good ideas here for you and the one I want to massively underline is <u>don't make eating a big deal.</u> That especially means do not show frustration over the food intake because that will start a control battle that will be very hard for you to win.
Here is an excerpt from my article on food issues:
One of the biggest challenges with our CF kids is around food. The bottom line is that we can't make a kid eat! And, of course it makes us parents crazy when our kid with CF won't eat. So it is very easy to get hooked into a power struggle over food.
Remember: When one demands, the other resists. So the more you try to make your child eat certain foods or a certain amount, the more your child will naturally resist. So, the earlier you start with sharing control around food choices, the better. Use choices, choices, choices! "Would you like butter or sauce on your noodles?" "Would you prefer carrots or corn with butter?" etc.
Do not show anger and frustration over food issues. Show encouragement when they eat well and empathy when they don't. Encouragement sounds like, "Way to go eating up all your food. I'll bet you feel good about taking such good care of your body." And empathy sounds like: "Oh, that's too bad you didn't eat dinner. I guess you won't be joining us for that special, yummy dessert I made. Ohh bummer."
<b>Empathy</b> and <b>encouragement</b> are two of the Five E's of Raising Responsible Kids segment that Dr. Cline and I are doing for KnowCF. Check out the video clips as they get posted.
You will also find lots more tips on getting kids with CF to eat on my website at: <b>www.TipsForCFParents.com under "Food Issues". </b>
Be sure to read the excellent article called "Behavioral Aspects of Nutrition in Children with CF" by Lori J. Stark, PhD, ABPP; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Good luck- I'm rooting for you; you can do it!
There are so many good ideas here for you and the one I want to massively underline is <u>don't make eating a big deal.</u> That especially means do not show frustration over the food intake because that will start a control battle that will be very hard for you to win.
Here is an excerpt from my article on food issues:
One of the biggest challenges with our CF kids is around food. The bottom line is that we can't make a kid eat! And, of course it makes us parents crazy when our kid with CF won't eat. So it is very easy to get hooked into a power struggle over food.
Remember: When one demands, the other resists. So the more you try to make your child eat certain foods or a certain amount, the more your child will naturally resist. So, the earlier you start with sharing control around food choices, the better. Use choices, choices, choices! "Would you like butter or sauce on your noodles?" "Would you prefer carrots or corn with butter?" etc.
Do not show anger and frustration over food issues. Show encouragement when they eat well and empathy when they don't. Encouragement sounds like, "Way to go eating up all your food. I'll bet you feel good about taking such good care of your body." And empathy sounds like: "Oh, that's too bad you didn't eat dinner. I guess you won't be joining us for that special, yummy dessert I made. Ohh bummer."
<b>Empathy</b> and <b>encouragement</b> are two of the Five E's of Raising Responsible Kids segment that Dr. Cline and I are doing for KnowCF. Check out the video clips as they get posted.
You will also find lots more tips on getting kids with CF to eat on my website at: <b>www.TipsForCFParents.com under "Food Issues". </b>
Be sure to read the excellent article called "Behavioral Aspects of Nutrition in Children with CF" by Lori J. Stark, PhD, ABPP; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Good luck- I'm rooting for you; you can do it!
