Is it ok i do this?

[*Natasha*]

I have been giving DD dessert after dinner for a few months now. However due to teething she hasn't been always finishing her dinner but i still give her dessert afterwards. Is this ok,does she understand yet that she hasn't finished her dinner but i will get dessert anyway? If no when does she start to understand this?

[Nikki~Nathanamp;Danielle]

Guess it depends on what is important in your house. I have no problem if my kids don't want to finish their main meal - it doesn't mean they don't get something else later on if they want it. As far as understanding, well I'd say she knows the routine, but that's probably it - but doubt very much that she has the same adult interpretation that you do as in "only when I finish all my main meal am I allowed to have dessert" if that makes sense? My ds at 3 would understand this concept, but not my 16mth old.

[ella&jack'smum]

I think you're fine to do this at the moment - as they get older you can start to use desert as a 'lever' to get the veggies finished! But I would always make sure in these instances it was something like yoghurt or fruit, rather than a 'treat' pudding. My DD would never get anything other than that unless she had finished/really had a good go at her main course.

[jayne]

i am not a big "clean plate" person-- as long as they have eaten some.. my dad used to say "make sure you save room for desert" so i kind of keep that mentally.. as long as i feel they are eating healthy throughout the day--getting enough fruits, veggies and protein --then its okay with me-- we as adults struggle with portion size.. i feel teaching them to trust their bodies is a good lesson.

if after dinner and desert they still  want snacks then they have fruit,yougurt,cheese,apples and peanut butter or something healthy-- it works for them it works for me

[Lana]

The only time I don't let E have dessert is if he doesn't eay ANY of his dinner.

[*Natasha*]

The only time I don't let E have dessert is if he doesn't eay ANY of his dinner.

Yes i agree with this thank goodness (touch wood) this hasn't happened yet.

Thank everyone for your imput it has put my mind at rest.

[ryan's mum]

When Ryan had bad reflux flare ups and went on food strike the only way to get him to eat was by giving him dessert first .I think it was mainly down to the yogurt being cold and it soothed his throat , he would actually eat all his dinner after .We then started to give a spoon of dessert and then a spoon of dinner .Also sometimes when he did have dinner first and didn't eat it all and dessert after he would go back to his dinner , we would leave it on his tray .