Mealtimes are breakfast, lunch and dinner and don’t forget the snacks in between! If only it was that straight forward! However, it’s without a doubt a real bone of contention for families as we often find ourselves cajoling, bribing or bargaining just so the kids will eat up.  I often chat to parents  and caregivers about the benefits of eating with the children, recently covering the topic in my own blog fussy eaters – steps to encourage positive eating habits.  

To gain more insight into the topic of family mealtimes I spoke to Cathy Monaghan of Weaning.ie. Cathy is a Mum of 3 and has been a Senior Paediatric Dietitian with CHI at Temple Street for nearly 15 years. Cathy has experience in many different areas of childhood nutrition including Infant feeding, fussy eating, weight management, Metabolic Disorders and Type 1 Diabetes.

With all her experience and expertise, it was great to get Cathy’s advice. When we caught up I asked her the following questions:

The main concerns parents have about their children’s eating habits at mealtimes

• Separate mealtimes and the impact this can have on children’s experience with food and mealtimes

• How can parents encourage their children to enjoy food at mealtimes

• The connection between parent’s relationship with food and their children’s reluctance to try new foods

• Top tips that would help a parent that is struggling with mealtimes

Establishing Positive Mealtime Habits

What do you think are the main concerns parents have about their children’s eating habits at mealtimes?

Parents aim for perfection at mealtimes. Often, I think our expectations are unrealistic for where toddlers/ children are developmentally. I go through this in my weaning and feeding classes. 

While families like the idea of eating together and serving the same meals, many still eat separately to the children. What kind of impact can this have on children’s experience with food and mealtimes?

As parents, we need to give our children something to copy. They learn to walk because they see us walking! Eating together is a way of modelling the behaviour that we want to see. We are all busy but I think it is important to carve out some eating together time – that could be breakfast, dinner or weekends, just try and fit it in somewhere! It will stand to you! If your child is used to eating a meal with you – it will be easier to eat out with them too as it will be the norm!

How can parents and caregivers encourage their children to enjoy food at mealtimes?

By thinking of eating as a sensory experience. Focus less on the food and more on the experience. Serve meals buffet style, offering something that suits everyone and then a few optional extras, cheese, fruit, bread etc. Then catch up on their day – talk ‘to’ them don’t talk ‘at’ them!

 Check out the 10 Steps to  Encourage Positive Eating Habits

Is there a connection between parent’s relationship with food and their children’s reluctance to try new foods, fussy eating etc?

Yes, this is something that I cover in my Intuitive Eating for Families webinar. As parents we are so conditioned by diet culture that we don’t even realise it is ‘a thing’. We need to be careful with our use of language around food. It is trying to meet our kids half way food wise – is what we eat appealing/realistic to our children. If we are on a low carb diet but then expect our kids to eat carbs we are creating some confusion. 

Do you have any top tips that would help a parent or caregiver that is struggling with mealtimes?

1. If meals are a struggle go right back to basics, carbs, protein and something fresh. 

2. Focus on the experience rather than the food. Make the dinner table a place they like to be.

3. Meet your kids half way – is what you eat what you expect them to eat?

4. Involve them in some way – are there any foods they would like in the shopping this week? What would you like for dinner today/ this week? Ask them to set the table, empty the dishwasher, grate the cheese – anything at all. 

5. Don’t comment on how much anyone eats, you are not the food police and it is not an eating contest! Thank them for being there and for helping with the meal. 

Majority of parents will admit that at least one of their children within the family unit fuss over food, if we as parents can change one or two approaches and it means making a positive change for the child  this will help you combat challenges that you may be facing around mealtimes.

More info about Cathy:

A healthy lifestyle and attitude to health begins at home. With this in mind Cathy established www.weaning.ie . Cathy provides theory-based pregnancy, baby and toddler webinars to parents. The aim being to empower you and simplify feeding your family. Cathy is a member of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute and registered with CORU. You can also find Cathy on her Instagram page @weaning.ie.

 If you are feeling overwhelmed or facing challenges with your children, I am here to help. I offer tailored 1 to 1 parent support sessions or corporate parenting talks. Get in touch with me today at aoife@parentsupport.ie, I offer eLearning Parenting Courses on Positive Parenting and Managing Screen Time & Device Use which will help support you in the challenges you may be facing.