From the time my son was old enough to eat solids he would not eat cooked veggies. He would eat veggies like carrots, broccoli, and celery all day long if it was raw. Anytime I placed them on his dinner plate, even if only slighty steamed, shit was about to hit the fan! He was so mind over matter. I always made sure he tasted them, no matter what. If we ate the same thing twice a week, guess what? He tasted that same veggie again and again! I had to be admitted to the hospital for three weeks and my sister helped my husband out(thank you!). She kept my kids and it was really the first time(age two), he was ever away from me that long.
I still to this day remember her telling me this story. They sat down for dinner and it was something simple like chicken, mashed potatoes and corn. My son refused to eat the taters and corn(who's kid are you??). Her husband made him sit there and he physically made himself gag, to the point he was almost puking. It was mind over matter. If he said it was gross, he sat there and thought about how bad a bite would be. He would hurl in his mouth and swallow. It was awful! He still to this day is hard to deal with when he automatically says it will be gross. His mind controls it and he will sit there gagging. I always make them take at least two bites.
Today my son is 9, turns 10 in January. He eats corn, peas, carrots, asparagus, squash, zucchini, green beans, broccoli, calliflower, cabbage and more. He will not touch beans. Kidney beans in chili, refried beans on taco night....no way, no how. He asked for avocado in his lunch today...wtf!!! He has come so far. I wish back when he was so picky and I had no hope, someone would of said "hey, it's just a phase, they move on!".
As a parent we stress about so many things. Let's not let food become one. Make them try it over, and over, and over again. I never, ever thought this would be my son. Asking for asparagus and avocado. Shit happens, kids change. We are doing something right Mom!! Continue to make them try things, even if they have already said eww five times!
Listen Mom. There is still a rule in my house. My daughter hates cabbage and asparagus. I still make her try two bites every time we have it. She yells, screams and puts up a fuss...but from what I have learned to date, its worth it!!!
