Man V. Food - take 2

We've started up a food tolerance program for B again. The other one fizzled out because he started refusing to try anything and then he had a mystery illness for 3 weeks and we didn't want to mess with him.

But here we go again. We're a week in and I don't want to jinx it but it's going well so far. It's hard core - all or nothing. Here's how it goes:

If B wants to eat ANYTHING, he has to try a bite of something else first (some things he's had before but doesn't eat and some brand new stuff)

We don't offer him food on any type of meal schedule. He has to indicate that he's hungry so we know he's really motivated. Today he didn't eat anything until 11:30 a.m.

He has 5 minutes to eat the bite in front of him. If he doesn't do it, we take away the food he requested. He can have additional chances with new foods to try if he "asks" for the food again.

Last time, we just tried to reserve the really, really preferred things like cookies, cupcakes etc. to get him try something new. But he's a smart kid. He figured out that he'd still get the meals he liked (pizza anyone?) so he could just hold out and refuse whatever we offered.

So now it's all or nothing.  There have been tears. Defiance. Hunger. It sometimes took 3 tries before he ever got the meal he wanted (yes, reheated 3 times at that point). And on Friday, he ate lunch and then never got another thing to eat until late the next morning.

As a parent, it is excruciating to deny your child something as fundamental as food. It takes "doing it for your own good" to a whole other level.

But this is what it takes for B. All or nothing. No easy way out. His will is so very strong. And he won't just do this on his own or outgrow his pickiness the way some (most) kids do. We were on a slippery slope and it wasn't much of a stretch to imagine a day where he ate only 1 or 2 foods. And when it comes down to it, we'd rather have a few days (weeks, months?) of the tough stuff than a lifetime of terrible nutrition.

I'm happy to report that he has been successful with more than 20 attempts - 100% success since saturday. Today, he tried dried pineapple and a banana chip. If we could introduce fruit and vegetables into his diet, it'd be a huge win. We have a LOOOOONG way to go. A long, painstaking journey for both us and the little man.

So there you have it. If I look a little more frazzled than normal, you know why. It's a fun project to tackle now that school is out and we're on "vacation". How's your summer?