Managing well-intentioned comments from family members
Adventurous eating with the wider family
Holidays often bring extended family gatherings, which can be wonderful but sometimes come with unsolicited advice or comments about your child’s eating habits. While these remarks are usually well-meaning, they can feel overwhelming and undermine your efforts. Here’s how to handle them gracefully:
• Set Boundaries Early: Before gatherings, have a calm conversation with key family members. Let them know you’re focusing on positive mealtime practices and kindly ask for their support in creating a pressure-free environment. If it helps, this research highlights the benefits of not asking children to eat more than their bodies are telling them is optimum.
• Redirect Conversations: If someone comments on your child’s eating (“Why won’t XXX eat that?”), respond with a neutral and confident statement, such as, “We’re encouraging XXX to be an ‘adventurous eater’ and try new foods at their own pace—it’s going really well!” This shifts the focus away from judgment and toward understanding.
• Involve Them Positively: If family members are eager to help, channel their enthusiasm. Suggest they involve the child in fun activities, like making festive place names or setting the table nicely. This will encourage positive associations with mealtime. Alternatively, you could see if they would like to make one of the festive recipes in this booklet, designed to expose adventurous eaters to seasonal fruit and veggies. Remember to also let your family members know that the exposure counts regardless or not of whether your child eats the food. It’s the interaction that’s important.
• Lean on Your Expertise: Remember, you know your child best. Politely but firmly steer the conversation back to your family’s approach with a simple response like, “We’ve got a system that works for us, thank you for understanding!”
By addressing comments with kindness and clarity, you can protect your child’s progress while fostering a supportive environment for everyone at the table.
We hope these tips help you enjoy a joyful and stress-free festive season while continuing to thrive on your journey of Raising an Adventurous Eater. Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
Explore our website for a wealth of free, research-backed resources designed to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable.
Plus, check out our proven, on-demand audio course, packed with actionable parenting and nutrition strategies to help you navigate fussy eating with confidence.
Feel free to reach out anytime with questions—we’re always happy to help!
