My 8 year old step son has recently started saying that he doesn't like things that a few days ago he loved. I can make something for dinner that he has eaten (cleaned his plate and asked for seconds on) recently and he promptly tells me that it is gross and he doesn't like it anymore. Is this some type of phase? If not, is there anything I can do to change the attitude? Thanks in advance for any comments.
Well, I guess it was a phase. He has gone back to eating like a horse. According to him, he "likes" things just "not as much". Who knows the mind of an 8 year old. At least he eats!!
My son does the same! Actually I'm wondering what to do. all they want is pizza or chicken nuggets! Just a couple of days ago I made mole and he loved it! when I asked him if he would eat it again ...he said: 'Maybe'
go figure! Good luck and hang in there! ~C.~
Ditto to what Steph S Said. :)
Get them to help you cook. I know that seems like a lot of work but we LOVE the family kitchen.
He's 8 so he could probably handle holding a small knife, to cut up fruits and veggies. Mine also like helping me break pasta (spaghetti noodles) in half so we can cook them.
Or let them prepare a pre-mixed salad, put the sugar in the tea and stir it.
My kids usually are more willing to try something if they've helped prepare it.
Oh and yes! Make your own pizzas. That's always a hit around here too! :)
W., I think its important to recognize the root of this behavior. He's 8, and he's asserting some control over his own life. When you're 8, there are plenty of things you can't control- but what you put in your own mouth seems like something you CAN control.
So the issue here is whether you're seeing obedience or rebellion in his other behaviors. Is he defying you and the healthy choices you're making for him, is he testing the waters to see what you'll require of him, or are his tastebuds changing? (The word "gross" is a clue, but his tone will be a clue, too.)
I recommend you read the book "Shepherding a Child's heart" for solid advice on how to tell which behavior he's actually choosing, and what to do about it.
Your husband probably has already talked to him about respecting you and doing what you ask him to do.
Hope this was helpful!!
W. I was a step mother of 4 children 2 of which came to live with me and their father. I will tell you that they will test you to see how far they can push you. Your stepson knows the differeance between you and his mother. I agree with the other moms ask him if he would like to help you make the meal that is a great way to see if he would be willing to try it. But this does not always work. Also ask him to try just a little bite or have dad do it if he refuses then don't push it. He is testing the water to see just how you are going to react to him. You have to crawl before you can walk and you have to walk before you can run. Don't be the bad guy right off the bat work your way up to that, Gain his trust first the rest will follow trust me. Even after my divorce I still have a wonderful reliaship with my daughter.
My now 11 year old does that and has been for a few years. At one point he said he wanted to become a chef so I let him help out cooking. Although now he thinks he's a critic as well, he does eat a lot more when he helps.
My daughter is 7, and she just started doing the SAME EXACT THING! So, yeah, I guess it is a phase. She does it specifically about food. We just remind her that it's very rude to tell dad (he cooks, I don't) that something that he worked hard on, is gross. She responds quite well. You just got to put them back in their place when they step out of bounds. I'm sure it'll pass. Good luck.
LOL - Both of my stepchildren went through this - I'm kind of expecting it with my birth kids too.
I had them help me make whatever it was that we were going to eat, and if they didn't want what was cooked they had the option of making themself a bowl of cereal or a sandwich (pbj or balogna) - nothing that required more cooking or cleaning than they could do themself.
