Hi everyone,
DD and I are pretty social and catch up with friends/playdates etc often. Dd has a great appetite and really really loves her food. She is very healthy and eats heaps of fruit as her snacks when I am at home but when we are out with a few others and the snacks are crackers, tiny teddies, rice wheels etc it is becoming harder. She is 18 months and of course enjoys eating crackers but I don't often give them to her, especially when it's so close to dinner. I take fresh fruit for her which she eats but because other mums are giving their kids crackers I too give them as she is looking at them and I don't want to give her a 'food complex'. DD has always been beautifully chubby (right from the word go!) and we've never had a problem with her eating different foods but the past two days when we were out and she 'snacked' she didn't want her dinner. I find it easy to say no to her at home and give her a toy etc, go outside as I know she is not actually hungry (possibly more bored/getting tired). I certainly don't want to be sending negative messages to her about food. I was thinking that maybe when it gets to the point that she keeps wanting crackers is the time to leave as maybe she really is just bored. Or do I say no? Think I would get some funny looks from the other mums, and dd looked quite upset when I tried that today - it's a tough one... Any suggestions would be great. At 18 months does she understand "No, because soon you are having dinner". Should I offer morning tea and afternoon tea and in between meals and if she wants anything else she has to learn to wait? Or take her dinner so if we are out at 4pm and others are snacking then at least she is actually eating something decent. For example I can easily take some healthy sandwiches and a yogurt out on the days that I know she are going to be out closer to dinner time. Or just get over it because it seems as though most kids are snacking... I don't want to have this perfect meal routine but never go out with friends but this has been bugging me for a few weeks now as I think sometimes she eats when she doesn't quite know what to do with herself... Also, people often joke with me how much she loves her food which I think is great but don't want it to look as though she constantly eats...
