mealtimes

We take our little 4 year old grandson shopping for the ingredients for dinner. He chooses what we'll have, sometimes it's quite an entertaining selection.

Then he helps cook. It might be just a sandwich with veggie sticks. It might be chicken and chips or pasta . We always sit at the table and he eats what he wants - there's no cajoling but there's nothing else available if he doesn't eat what he's chosen.

We usually only have him for about 24 - 36 hours so he's not going to starve :-) fruit is always available.

He's our 3rd grandchild and we applied the same rules to the previous 2 and it's worked a treat.

Good luck :-)

I have been 'helping' DGD (same age) with her dinners by playing 'Thomas the Tank Engine going into the tunnel'.
I daren't tell her DP but at least I am satisfied she has eaten her dinner.

Thank you for all the great advice, everyone, which I've taken note of, particularly the not getting stressed because its surprising how children pick up on that - even if you think you've hidden it well. You're right, it is just for the weekend so he's not going to come to any harm if he doesn't eat particularly healthily. I suppose the main thing is that they both enjoy the weekend, whatever they eat or don't eat. I like the idea about the touch of fantasy LullyDully, I shall have to get my thinking cap on and see what I can conjure up!

How about them helping to cook? Anyway they won't die of starvation . Would be tempted not to give them anything else or add a t ouch of fantasy to lure them in......over to you

Make coming too your house be 'granny's rules'. So, things that he gets away with at your house are only because he's with you. I play by the DDs' rules at their house but at my house things are how I want them and that includes indulging them if it suits me.

Been there done that got the T shirt
My GS are the same age. The youngest had major health problems for first two years, they thought he was going to need major abdo surgery.
Fortunately he now eats almost anything but will often say "I don't like that bit" after a few mouthfuls. My strategy is to say "ok eat the bits you do like" usually that produces an empty plate
If he eats healthily at home a couple of days of nannie giving in to him won't hurt.
Have fun !

I'd give him what will eat. He won't come to any harm. If it's only sandwiches, so be it.
One Christmas we were putting out dinner and my dgd then 6 asked could she have Weetabix. Her younger sister then ashed could she have Weetabix also. It wasn't a time for battles or a possible tantrum so they both had their Weetabix.

Have a lovely weekend ....No stress over food.

Hi, SallyWragg. Have to agree with teetime - if all he'll eat is a sandwich, give him a sandwich. If he eats well at his own home, why worry? Make up the difference with whatever fruit or veg he'll eat. We had the same problem with our GS, who was a food nightmare from the age of nineteen months, having previously eaten anything and everything. It got to the stage where all he would eat was plain pasta and cheese - but not together - carrot sticks or cucumber! He came round in the end and now eats all sorts of good things. Try not to let food issues get in the way of having a nice time with him.

Thanks for the good wishes - I think that's probably very good advice not to get stressed over it, it won't help the situation. I shall just try and go with the flow!

Oh lummy my GS was a nightmare and sometimes still is over food mostly because he was allowed too many choices as toddler. I don't know what to say I used to give in but dreaded mealtimes. I do wish you luck and that they have a pleasant stay with you - give him sandwich if that's all he wants not a good time to get all stressy.