Don’t Let Your Child’s Food Anxiety Steal Christmas!
Dec 16, 2024
It’s the season for celebrating, connecting with loved ones, and being together. It can also be a stressful time. It’s not all twinkly lights and turkey for everyone. For some kids (and Muma's), mealtimes like these can bring stress, not joy.
If your little one struggles with anxiety around food, you’re not alone. Although it can certainly feel like that sometimes!
But your child’s relationship with food can improve, one small step at a time.
Knowledge is power, and understanding your child’s challenges is the first step to helping them, but is it your child that needs to change or other people’s views and opinions?
Beige Foods And Food Disorders
If your child seems to live off beige foods despite your best efforts, and mealtimes feel like an emotional rollercoaster, there may be more going on beneath the surface. While picky eating is common, children with conditions like Autism (ASD), Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), ARFID, OCD, or EDNOS often have a more complicated relationship with food—it’s not just about preferences, and it’s certainly not their fault. Or your fault as a mum either, for that matter. If you haven't already, take a read at our last blog article for more on these food disorders When Eating Becomes Stressful A Mums Guide to Kids’ Food Disorders
But I'm guessing what they eat isn’t your only fear?
Right now, you might be dreading the raised eyebrows from extended family when you serve chicken nuggets to your toddler, instead of the traditional roast turkey dinner.
Or perhaps you’re bracing for a mealtime meltdown when someone encourages your little one with ‘just one mouthful!’.
It can be so exhausting to hear well-meaning friends and family insist your child will “grow out of” their picky eating phase. Or to hear advice from professionals about how to “fix” your child with this or that method. But remember, this is your unique child. There’s no need to change them to fit someone else’s expectations.
Much of the judgment stems from misinformation or a lack of understanding.
Try to help others see things through your child’s eyes, instead of the other way around. You might be surprised at the support you and your child receive once people understand their viewpoint. For more mealtime support, my book The Confident Parents Guide to Raising a Happy, Healthy and Successful Child has an entire chapter dedicated to food.
Food doesn’t have to ruin the day!
If you need some more morale support in diching that mum guilt this Christmas, hop on over to YouTube to find out how best to get others to see things from your child's point of view .
I’ve created a YouTube video to give you some reassurance and practical tips on managing food anxiety during Christmas. This time of year can be overwhelming for children on the spectrum, with bright lights, loud gatherings, and disrupted routines adding to their stress.
In the video, I share how to:
- Handle mealtime challenges without letting food anxiety take over your Christmas.
- Explain your child’s unique needs to family and friends in a way that helps them understand—not judge.
- Focus on helping others accept your child as they are, so you’re not left feeling embarrassed or pressured to "make them eat."
This is all about creating a calm, supportive environment where your child feels comfortable, not trying to force them to fit in.
Plus, I’ll share how getting kids involved in grocery shopping and meal prep can encourage positive feelings around food.
Learn how to make mealtimes less stressful for your child and handle tricky family dynamics like a pro here YouTube Video Don’t Let Your Child’s Food Anxiety Steal Christmas!
Let’s focus on enjoying the holidays without the pressure. Watch now for tips, reassurance, and practical advice to keep the peace this season.
Stay Present this Christmas,
Much Love Em x
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