This article shares 5 strategies you can use when you’re exhausted with your child’s picky eating.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in working with parents of picky eaters, it’s that supporting your child so they can eat comfortably in the moment while also helping them learn to enjoy new foods takes a lot of time and energy.
If you’re feeling exhausted, stressed out, burnt out, and defeated with your child’s eating, you’re not alone. It’s not just you and it’s not because you’re not doing something right. In fact, you’re probably feeling this way because you are doing things right – you’re there for your child and you are giving everything you have to help them.
Feeding kids is a full time job when there are no hiccups. Add feeding challenges and picky eating into the mix and it’s no wonder you’re exhausted.
The Eating with Ease program, the program where I help parents understand their children’s eating struggles and teach strategies to help their kids try new foods, is, yes, about making eating easy for kids. But it’s also about making it easier for parents. The last thing you need is one more thing added to your plate.
Below, you’ll find strategies I created for Eating with Ease Program members to help them maintain momentum and keep putting in the work even when they’re tired and even when things feel hard.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and low on motivation, try these 5 strategies to find renewed energy so you can continue to help your child try new foods and eat more variety.
And if you’re feeling like a blog just isn’t providing the support you need to help your child overcome picky eating, I’d love to talk about if the Eating with Ease Program is right for you. Book a short call with me.
5 Ways To Feel Better When You’re Exhausted with Your Child’s Picky Eating
Think back to where you were when you started.
It can be hard to recognize progress when you’re in the thick of it. Think back to where you were 6 months ago. Even one month ago.
What has changed? Chances are you have made more progress than you think, even if you still feel like there is a lot of work to do.
Remember that progress with picky eating takes time and happens in stages. It’s all about baby steps.
Find your community
It’s easy to feel alone when you are going through this on your own day to day. Community can make all the difference in helping you feel motivated and supported.
Community is a big part of what makes the Eating with Ease Program so valuable.
Focus on just one thing
If you’re anything like the parents I know in the Eating with Ease community, you’re trying to do it all (in life and also when it comes to your child’s eating!).
There are A LOT of different approaches to helping your child. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and it’s easy to try to do them ALL.
I’ve seen this so many times. I have had dozens upon dozens of conversations with parents who feel like they’ve tried everything. A large portion of these attempts are scattered. They tried something for a few days. It didn’t seem like it was working, so they tried something else. Focusing your energy on too many things is a fast track to burnout, doesn’t give a chance for the strategies to work, and can make you feel like you’re not doing enough.
Instead of trying to do ALL THE THINGS ALL THE TIME (I’m so guilty of this), focus on just one approach, or one meal, or one food.
Manage your expectations
It’s tough to put so much time and effort into something and to get little in return. This is one of those situations where that will likely be the case. This is hard. If there were a quick and easy fix you wouldn’t be here. Remember that you’re in this for the long haul. Know that no one thing is likely to be transformative. Over time all of the strategies, exposures, and servings will pay off. Don’t expect any one thing to be transformative and don’t tie yourself to any timeline. We can’t predict how your child’s eating will unfold. Know that by being here and working every day that you are doing your best.
Take a break
Give yourself the gift of a break. Remember that you’re in this for the long haul. Every day doesn’t need to be an effortful day.
Dedicate one day a week (or however often you need)) to let go of all expectations and efforts. Instead, focus on enjoying time with your child away from the table.
Taking the pressure off of yourself – and therefore off of them, too – can help you maintain momentum, and you’ll be surprised how it might impact things at the table, too.
The Eating with Ease program helps you make sure you are using your time well and doing things that really move the needle with your child’s eating so you’re spending your precious energy well.
If you are ready to end the exhaustion and finally get your child on the path to trying new foods, send an email to Jenny and we’ll see if the program is right for you.
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