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by GoodTimesNoodleSalad on February 22nd, 2007
No.
Learning to make food choices and judge proper portions occurs very early in life, so give your kids a chance to determine when they are full. Let your child's appetite guide how much food is enough.
A pattern of overeating can lead to your child being overweight and underfeeding also can lead to weight gain if your child sneaks food when he is hungry between meals.
Encouraging your child to clean his plate can aid in overeating or a food aversion, which are habits that could set up a child for weight or nutritional problems later.
by FLYxNIGHT on February 22nd, 2007
I don't think so at all. Most children are not serving themselves, and therefore cannot exert any control over their portions. The body has a way of telling itself when enough is enough in regards to food, and that is when it is no longer hungry.
I don't know when this tradition started; I know it was big during the implementation of the Marshall Plan. But whenever it started, teaching someone to continue eating when they are full is pointing them on a lifelong path toward obesity.
Especially in a day and age when most parents are unable to pry their children away from electronic entertainment and get them to play outside like in the good old days, forcing a child to finish what they did not ask for is a recipe for disaster, and likely one of the contributing factors in the national weight problem the US has today.
by Gideon on February 22nd, 2007
No. Children's appetites vary and aren't the same as adults. And I've always been more of a consequences person than a punishment person. If the child doesn't want to eat and gets hungry later, he'll learn to sit and eat eventually. Children don't starve from not finishing their plate.
by Max Power on February 22nd, 2007
No, not really. The parent should be able to tell how much their child is capable of eating. And shouldn't fill their plate past that capacity. To force a child that is full to finish what's on their plate wouldn't be right. If the child just refuses to eat because they don't like the food presented... well too bad. I wouldn't force them to stay there and finish it but I would make them stay until everyone else finishes and then they can be excused but if they are hungry, well, the food we made for them is still waiting to be eaten. If they don't want it well they can wait to eat till the next meal.
by singwell-is off researching a lot on February 23rd, 2007
no, it encourages obesity. also, taste buds take time to develop, and what a child does not like one year may be his/her favourite the next. Forcing them to eat it when they do not like it, may turn them off it for life. I have problems with many cooked vegetables for this reason. Encourage them to try everything, and insist that enough be eaten to satisfy nutritional needs, then let them make the decision if they have had enough.
by Egico is now Egioz on August 14th, 2007
Absolutely not! If you force them to eat after they are full, you set them up for eating those supersized portions that you get at restaurants and we all know where that leads. I let my kids eat until they are full and don't force it. However, if they don't eat the veggies, they know not to ask for dessert. As a parent you know how much your kids will eat, so you put food on the plate accordingly. I usually put a little less than I know they can handle and then they can ask for more if they want it.
Also, I never tell them, if you don't finish everything on your plate you won't get dessert, that's like rewarding them for over eating. We only have dessert Friday and saturday anyway (ocassionally sundays)
by Not Here Anymore on August 14th, 2007
No way. Children have tastes too. If a child doesn't like something, what is forcing them to eat it going to do, other than prove you are a bully? Also, they may not be hungry enough to finish everything. So if you force them to finish, they could end up being sick. Again, not what you want. Both my kids were raised to try things, but were never forced to eat anything or finish. Both are now adults that eat just about everything.
by pagan-babe on February 22nd, 2007
No not in this day and age its totally cruel this was done to me as a child,i know back then money was very tight,a lot of the things i didnt like like stringly potatoes yuck would make me gag!!!
If i didnt eat it at dinner time my mum would give it to me again at tea time,the same meal re heated(no microwaves back then)it was dry and horrid id literally go hungry and often did until the next day,as i couldnt eat it!!
Id never subject my children to this its cruel!
by Babycakes on May 29th, 2007
That was how they did it the "old school" when I was growing up..it was wrong then and it's wrong now. I wouldnt want to be forced to eat.
by BenThere HR on February 22nd, 2007
No.
If your child eats a resonable amount of food and doesn't like peas you should only make him eat half of them (veggies are healthy to eat). Eating half of everything else should be OK too.
I sat at the dinner table from 6 until 8 O'clock one night because I wouldn't eat my peas.
by donovan reynolds. on August 14th, 2007
No. It contributes to eating disorders later on in life.
by Psycho the kid on August 14th, 2007
Studies have show that this kind of thing can contribute to obesity later in life.
by u.. on June 18th, 2007
NO! Talk about a personal decision that belongs to the individual and the individual alone -- child or grown up. Do not try and force someone to eat something that they are not willing to eat. The reason really doesn't matter. Don't make mealtime a battleground.
They rule in my home was this -- if you do not care to eat the meal that has been prepared, you could select an alternate provided it was nutricious, readily available and did not involve cooking another meal.
by Joebobaloshie on May 29th, 2007
I learned to detest my mother after she did this to me. If i dopnt like fish, dont make me eat it. If banana's disgust me, dont give me a time limit until i DO eat it. So long as I am eating healthy, and I dont refuse every singly morcel of food you prepare, it is wrong.
If this is an issue, give them alternatives. PB & J as opposed to tuna noodle caserole. LEFTOVERS over salmon, (always a rock and a hard spot for me, I ahte leftovers). Just be sure the child is healthy, and LISTEN to them when they say they are full.
by imac1998 on March 23rd, 2007
Hell no
by DRLAURAHATER on March 11th, 2007
NO it is NOT right to force a child to sit and eat everything on their plate, that is why there are so many obese children now a days cause their parents forced them to finish what was on their plates, which was adult size and NIT child size.
by bagless77 on February 23rd, 2007
A better approach would be to have your children serve themselves. I teach 1-2 year olds and they CAN serve themselves. They have control over what and how much they eat. The only rule I have with my own children is no 3rds on anything unless they sample some of everything on their plate. By 3rds, I mean, about 1/4 C per serving.
by lpaw on June 18th, 2007
no, they will eat what they want,u will make fat ppl out of them by doing that
by sage on May 29th, 2007
no i dont, let child put food on there plate, tell them to only take what they will eat, give a variety of good healthy foods
by Babycakes Deux on August 14th, 2007
No, but at the same time, I think it's important to make them aware that food shouldn't be wasted. My parents would only let us start with modest portions of everything and then, if we were still hungry, we could get more. Also, they required that even if you didn't like something, you had to eat a tablespoon of it to give yourself a chance to learn to like it.
by iwnit on May 29th, 2007
No.
I prefer to concentrate on the variety, not on the quantity.
By babies, you must sometimes trick them into eating, because they rather would play. But if they do not want anymore, they show it, and it would be no use to go on.
By children (4 to 10), they also know when they are full, usually.
I am careful not to let them take food themselves between the meals, especially fat and sugar.
And I give them various foods to try, not only those which they know. They should at least try them. If they reject them, there is always an alternative there.
For sure, I check if they are not developing anorexia, but I think many children today eat too much, too fat and too sweet.
by Anonymous on May 29th, 2007
No !! Number one, that's why people are so fat these days. They are taught to over eat. My Grandmother tried that with me when I was a little boy and I puked all over a restaurant and her !! That was the last time she "MADE" me eat anything.
by Anonymous on May 29th, 2007
No.They should be able to choose what they like from what is being served and should be encouraged to only take as much as they are able to eat. Sometimes all of our eyes are bigger than our stomachs and even that cannot happen.
by SMores on May 23rd, 2007
hmm i wonder if this contributes to all the fat ass kids in the US.. It is so not cool to make a kid eat all his/her food on the plate.. if their full, their full!
by justwannaknow on May 12th, 2007
Everything no it's not fair. I wonder if the parent's clean their plate??? Making sure your child eats healthy is one thing but why not make them lick it too!!!
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on May 12th, 2007
No. But make sure they don't get any other food, snacks etc. until the next meal time. They shouldn't be forced to eat food they didn't want, but should not be allowed to trade proper meals for snacks.
It is OK to say "No dessert if you don't finish your main".
by garnorche on May 12th, 2007
As long as they had enough food, they shouldn't be forced to over eat just to have the plate clean.
by BrittyJ. on March 23rd, 2007
No, I don't. I think you should make sure they get adequate nutrition. For instance, don't let them eat their dessert until they've consumed some of everything else on their plate. You should put as much good food into their bodies before you allow them to spoil it with sweets. I know the one time my dad made me finish everything on my plate I ended up vomiting. Sometimes kids are just not as hungry as we think they are.
by quack is whack on March 11th, 2007
No, no, and no. For all of the reasons listed above.
by Sheriff Raff -Answerhag on March 11th, 2007
I think Joan Crawford did this to her adoptive kids. They wrote a book about called "Mommie Dearest". Would not recommend this practice.
by Little big mouth on August 17th, 2007
NO. That was done to me & now I hate eating
by Haha. on August 14th, 2007
If my parents ever made me finish EVERYTHING on my plate
I would be very sick
When I was like 6-11 I could only eat very little
If I ate evrything on my plate
I would get light headed
Or sometimes just feel sick
by Anonymous on August 14th, 2007
NO!!!!! My dad made me eat "every bite" when I was little, and I have battled my weight since I was 10. I will especially never forget the time he absolutely humiliated me in front of a friend. I had a friend over to visit and for supper. It was a very, very hot and humid day. I don't remember what else was on my plate that night, but for sure there was a HUGE battle over a hamburger. My stomach was full, I didn't want more beef sitting in it, I wanted to get down and play. Couldn't. Had to sit there and eat every bite, though I believe my friend actually went home before I ever finished. I clearly remember feeling physically sick to my stomach. Yes, I am obese today. Morbidly so. So is my dad. My own kids do not have to eat every bite, of course. However, to encourage trying new things, we do ask that they try ONE bite of each thing served to them, and if they tell me after trying a food at least twice that they absolutely cannot stomach it, they get an alternative the next time the rest of us enjoy it. Plus I don't give them too much food for their age/size in the first place.
by The Good Wytch on August 14th, 2007
No, by forcing a child to eat everything that is on their plate, you are reinforcing a negative situation. The child will associate dinner time/or eating with something negative that they don't like to do. This could cause more problems in the future when it's time to eat again. Furthermore, children eat when they are hungry. I've never heard of a child who starved to death by their own hand. Last comment: trying to get a child to be part of the "clean plate club" is easier when they are eating something that they enjoy...maybe allowing the child to pick something else instead of forcing what's on the plate as an option?
by Perryman on August 14th, 2007
Not everything.
A child does need to learn the value of nutrition and thrift.
There are too many people in this world wasting it's resources, and too many people in want.
We need to inculcate into our children these important lessons while they are young.
by snayles on June 18th, 2007
In the end, the child is going to eat what he/she wants to eat.
Unless you literally shove food down their gullet.
I never liked it as a kid, and I never ate all the food on my plate, but I'm fine now, and I'd say its a minor problem.
by Sheepingly needs no handy men only hugs on May 29th, 2007
No but next time give them a slightly smaller plate. IF they finish all of it and are still hungry give them only 1 cup more of food and explain to them that they are only getting that much again just in case they get full and if they are still hungry you will be gladly to give them more.
That's what I do with my nieces and nephews they always want alot of food but never finish it so I only give them 3/4 or 1/2 of what they want and tell them this is in case they get full and they are fine with that.
by vic2tat2d on March 21st, 2007
NO! let's not contribute to childhood obesity the proper thing to do is serve smaller portions and when they are comfortable no full they should ask if they may be excused from the table and take their own plate to the sink. It works great for my kids and they are of great health.
by Anonymous on March 11th, 2007
NO, I do not think it is right for you to force kids to finish what is on their plate.
However, I do belive that they should try a few bites of whatever it is. Alot of times kids look at something and think they don't like it because of what it looks like, we make our kids try the food and if they still don't like it then they don't have to eat it. Besides, they might like the food when they get older.
I remember a time I ate at my grandma's house and she made this salad with rasiens and shredded carrots, I hated it and almost threw up! But she made me eat it and got mad at me when I told her I was going to throw up. Now I like the salad :) Kids aquire tastes for things as they grow up...however I still don't like brussel sprouts or cooked spinach hahaha.
If you at a resurant and they don't want to finish their food but like it, take it to go, they can finish it later if they want.
by Firebrand on February 22nd, 2007
Yes , because a child needs a balanced diet and if you serve them what they can eat and like, they should finish the food at least most of it.
My Mother kept us all at the table until the last had finished eating. My sister was so slow she constantly had very bruised ankles.
by Jackie R. on July 23rd, 2008
No, The rule in our house is if you have atleast tried everything on your plate, you are doing good. Kids are not always hungry when we are, but when we sit down to dinneras afamily they at least have to sit down and join us and wait until everyone is finished. And if you get a lively conversation going & include before you know it they are eating too without realizing it. If you try & force them they are more likely the fight back and may end up sitting there all night & then everybody ends up fusturated.
Jackie R.
Pgh., PA
by CousinVinny on July 11th, 2008
Sure.. That is how you make it to the "clean plate club" isn't it?
by painto55 on February 8th, 2008
Of course its okay. There are kids starving in Africa that would literary KILL to get even a third of whats on their plate. Besides, making them not eat everything would be letting them get away with what they want which can lead to a greater downfall in th future.
by PopsySoku on January 14th, 2008
No. I think forcing someone to do anything is bad.
What if you force your child to eat something that they say tastes funny, or bad. And it turns out its spoiled or posioned?
by 1hotgrievingmom on January 1st, 2008
No i dont,my grandma makes my kids sit there till there food is gone,lil kids get full fast it is abuse to stuff them till they cry!!
by SABOTEUR on December 2nd, 2007
No, but parents can make the mistake of coddling the child into believing mealtime is a smorgasbord; he can eat whatever,whenever he wants.
A more effective method would be to remove the plate until the next meal rolls around. The child soon questions the wisdom of refusing meals on an empty stomach.
by Anonymous on November 9th, 2007
I half way agree with the other person. I make my kids eat all there food. Only because the know ahead of time that if you take it you are going to eat it. I have just let know that they can always have seconds. So don't take to much the first time. And the other rule in my house is you have to try everything. Even if you know you don't like it. If they don't finish there lunch it goes in the frig & back out for dinner. Because kids always think they are gonna pull one over on you. So that's my 2 cents for what its worth.
by Zack on September 10th, 2007
Well, when I was a little tike, my baby sitter tried to make me eat a bowl full of squash. I sat there for what must been an hour and in all that time I poured water in it and I spit in it, but I never touched that god awful stuff. So, in my case it didn't work. With young kids you could end up with one that will eat what's put in front of them and you could end up with one that was like me.
by anonymous on September 10th, 2007
No I don't force my kids to eat everything on their plates, if your full your full.
What they are not allowed to do is come up half an hour later and complain that they are hungry.
by Scifisuz on August 21st, 2007
When I was 4 my Dad did that once. I threw up on him.
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Comments
Perfect answer! +2
by whippet on February 22nd, 2007
It is so good to see people that actually use logic when raising children instead of doing whatever thier parents dud to them! Kudos!
by cristnalyn on February 22nd, 2007
Thanks very much! :-)
by GoodTimesNoodleSalad on February 22nd, 2007
I rated your answer too its a good one.
by pagan-babe on February 22nd, 2007
Didn't work for Joan Crawford now did it? Excellent answer. Very thoughtful and thorough.
by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on March 11th, 2007
100%- Good answer GTNS!
by Penny The Wise on May 29th, 2007
I totally agreed with you. Great answer!!
by dannia on November 11th, 2007
i think its not good thats how kids get obese oz there mama efeds them too much
by armsock on December 17th, 2007
right on
by Maelstrom on January 27th, 2008
Dead on!! more points for you!!
by ArasJ on February 29th, 2008
thanx
by Maelstrom on March 1st, 2008
trueeee
by Life is beautiful...so am I on March 2nd, 2008
u betcha
by Maelstrom on March 7th, 2008
What a great answer, couldn't have said it better myself.
by Stoney on March 11th, 2008
Well I also want to add an important part to this is to let your kids serve themselves. I read about a study done on this and kids can actually deem for themselves proper portions and they will finish it.
by Uncensored_Optimist on April 6th, 2008
your right ... perhaps they really are full.
I have two young children and right from the start I have had the same rule in place.
Veggies must be completely gone but as long as they have eaten them then they can stop when they think they are full.
That way your making sure its actually because they are full and not just because they dislike whats on the plate.
by casspandra on May 3rd, 2008
Well, my rule for my kids is that they get like 5 small pieces of meat and 1 tablespoon of whatever else we are having. I do make them eat it or they dont get a snack. Sometimes they wont eat dinner but 10 minutes later they want a snack...lol
by Loo on May 12th, 2008
My friend gives her kids small portions of the "favorite" food of the meal and slightly larger portions of the vegetables. When the kid say 'I want more chicken' she says eat your green beans first. That way they eat healthy.
by medicgirl on May 29th, 2008
All good ideas above!! My parents always made me sit at the table until I 'cleaned my plate' and I hated it, if your child won't eat what you've made, put it in the rerigerator, and tell them they cannot have anything else (snacks etc..) until they've finished that meal (whether its an hour later or 3 hours later)believe me they will eat when they're hungry. But I would never make my kid sit at the table till they were done.
by lizardqueen on July 19th, 2008
A lot of us were members of the "clean plate club". I wonder if that is why we are an obese country. We feel we need to clean our plates and with portion sizes being served now being 2x or more then we should have...it makes sense.
by Teri on September 9th, 2008
AMEN Teri
by lizardqueen on September 9th, 2008
Yes it's ok to make them sit there until they finish their plate(s). My parents did it to me and I'm doing it to my kids. Don't fill your plate up with food if you're not planning on eating it. And by the way, neither myself or my kids are overweight. Exercising and doing chores works the body fat off alot more then sitting around watching tv and/or playing video games all day.
by Anonymous on August 8th, 2009
No, I feel that more times than not, we as adults put far too much food on a childs plate. Each portion should not be any bigger than the childs fist. America is grossly overweight and if smaller portions are not enough for a child, they will ask for more. Forcing them to each all on the plate will not only stretch their stomachs resulting in larger portions in the future but will also teach them that being full is not an option as long as food still remains.
by Shay-J on August 20th, 2009
I agree with you on some points but taking into consideration that my kids are not yet at the age where they can "fill their plate up" I am not going to be the one to tell another person how much they should consume.
Here's some food for thought...
When you go to a restaurant, do you eat every bit of food that the cook in the back has put on your plate? Have you ever asked for a "to-go" box because you just cant eat another bite?
And by the way.... I was not suggesting that those of you that eat what is put in front of you are overweight. I simply stated a fact that is discussed all over the country.
by Shay-J on August 22nd, 2009
This is a great answer. +
by Girl4Nowhere on September 14th, 2009
+ amazing answer. i dont think i could say it better than you have.
by Romantic Faithful on October 25th, 2009