Meal time: Everyday challenge

Feeding food to children is not a child’s play for many parents in Pakistan. Constipation, intestinal worm, anemia and other medical conditions can be causes of diminished appetite. If there is no medical issue then we have to check feeding strategies. Forcing children to eat more will simply give no result but stronger resistance/oppose from them. Forced feeding is difficult for both parents and children however there are simple and effective ways too.

• If children are not hungry they will simply not eat and they might be fine by next meal. If parents try to give snacks, chocolate or anything your child’s favorite (to forcefully fill their tummy/ kuch tu jaye pait may) will reduce appetite in next mealtime.

• Never try different creative and attractive ways to put morsel or spoon in the mouth of kid. Such tricks will only help to eat one time meal with exhausting and time-consuming efforts. If you keep feeding this way, it will not help child eat well enough. And it will make him more dependent on parents.
• Do not discuss that your child eat very little with others in front them.

• Once they learn eating themselves, stop feeding them and allow them to be independent eater.

• One in 13 kids has a food allergy. If kid feel bad after having certain food then avoid it or take treatment otherwise it will affect their appetite.

• Consumption of junk food, candies, packed juices and processed food should be reduced

It is healthier and much more beneficial for both mother and children. Make things easier, stress free, painless by helping children independent eaters.

Mothers who pressured their children about food were likely to end up with kids who avoided eating even more fiercely. Same goes for those who used food to try to shape their kids’ behavior.

Telling a lie

aggressive behaviour in Pakistani children which people in our country conveniently term as ‘childhood zidd’ (stubbornness).

Some kids strike head against wall

Last year, I saw three-year-old Ali lying down flat on a marble floor in the midst of a tantrum. Facing downward, he kicked his right leg furiously each time he wailed. When his kicks and moans did not grab the desired attention, he started banging his forehead where he was lying on the hard floor.

Beating as punishment

instant and unwarranted attention to the child’s inappropriate behaviour,

https://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/40607/parenting-in-pakistan-an-unhealthy-mix-of-care-and-competition/