Question: My son Cooper is six-years-old and he is the pickiest eater ever! I have tried making fun recipes, different shapes out of food, everything. He would rather go to bed on an empty stomach than eat, or, if I am lucky enough to get him to try something, and he doesn’t like it, he gags on it and practically throws it up. What can I do?
Maureen’s Answer:
LOVE HIM! Exactly the way he is. “Picky” eating habits and all. What we focus on we get more of. If you begin to obsess about Cooper’s eating habits, he’ll subconsciously reinforce your perceptions of the way he eats and begin to eat less and less. What if instead, you continue to offer him the same great, wholesome and creative food choices that it sounds like you already are, and then consciously add just one other key ingredient that you’re leaving out: complete acceptance.
You’ll see very quickly that Cooper will pick up on your new unconditional acceptance of him and he’ll begin to gravitate towards the love you are subtly offering him along with the more tangible foods you put on his plate. To make it very simple, you can look at it this way: everything is either love, or a call for love. So what do you give your son if he is giving you a “call for love” via picky eating? You offer him love, of course! Once you accept him, just as he is now, the happiness, connection and joy you both feel will spill over naturally into other ways of sharing… even meals!
Relax. Have fun at mealtime with Cooper and honor his unique eating style. He’ll grow and evolve through all of this quite naturally, just as you will, if you let love and not fear lead the way. And keep in mind, what we all live for, thrive on and crave the most in life is love!
Recommended read Soul-Full Eating: A (Delicious!) Path to Higher Consciousness and visit www.eatwithsoul.com
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