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A14 LOCAL
Friday 21 June 2019

Traveling with Picky Eaters

Continued from Page 13
I never recommend this practice as
a daily routine, so I definitely don’t
advise doing so when traveling.
Instead, you could rotate and al-
low each family member one day
when they get to decide where
or what type of food they want to
eat. This way, everyone gets a turn.
7. Don’t bribe or negotiate.
It’s a slippery slope once you start
offering tit for tat around meal-
times. Instead, offer choices and
go for smaller portions (appetizers
or kid’s menu). The ability to make
choices offers your child some
sense of control in an unfamiliar
environment. Smaller portions of-
fer a better opportunity for success
with finishing a meal.
8. Meltdowns will happen
and it’s going to be OK. With my
firstborn, I used to dread public
tantrums. Then one day, while on a
weekend getaway, I came across
a blogger who wrote about the
train analogy in relation to melt-
downs. Curious and intrigued, I
read the whole article. Little did I
know the next day I would be put-
ting it to the test. It was breakfast
time and we were seated on the
restaurant’s patio. For some rea- the breakfast festivities while seat- and enjoy the train rides. https:// ing should be a chance for our sens-
son, my son did not want to sit ed peacefully in the high chair. The pickanytwo.net/the-train-analogy- es to explore new sights, sounds,
down to eat. The chair was lava to analogy says that emotions are that-will-change-how-you-see- smells and tastes. So use every op-
him. Well, no better time than the tunnels and we are trains going your-crying-child/ portunity to indulge in some taste
present to put this train analogy through them. We NEED to keep 9. As a rule of thumb, make of local favorite bites. Street eat-
method into practice. So I sent my moving all the way through to the sure your kids get at least one good eries, farmers’ markets, and fairs
husband off to grab his food and I other side. However, as parents, healthy meal a day and offer lots are all low key places (kids can be
sat there drinking my coffee, while we often want to stop the melt- of liquids throughout. Do not fret noisy and move around) that of-
my son had a category 5 melt- down train before it has reached over making sure your children eat fer great food options. And since
down in front of everyone. To my the other side of the tunnel. We three big meals each day. This will these places are informal, you and
surprise (and relief) it only lasted want our kids to calm down as only cause unnecessary stress for your family can relax while enjoy-
about 10 minutes. After he finally quickly as possible. But they can’t both you and your kids. ing your meal, instead of constant-
calmed down, I picked him up and until they reach the other side. So, 10. Make it exciting and don’t ly having to worry about everyone
we were able to regroup and join order a glass of your favorite wine stick to only sit-down meals. Travel- sitting quietly in their chairs.q

ABOUT CINDY HERDE

I was born and raised in Aruba, which fostered my fluency in four languages and my
passion for the language arts. After graduating with my master’s degree from the
University of Central Florida – GO KNIGHTS! – I had the opportunity to move around
the country and work in Orlando, Boston, and Chicago, before settling in sunny
Miami with my husband and 2 kids. At each of these career stops I was fortunate
to be part of extensive pediatric medical teams, working closely with and learn-
ing from fellow speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nu-
tritionists, lactation consultants, pediatricians, gastroenterologists, neurologists, early
developmental specialists, respiratory therapists, behavior analysts, nurses, special
education teachers and of course, parents and caregivers. Throughout my career
I’ve enjoyed being an advocate for families whose primary language is not English,
and treasured the opportunities that I’ve had to help these and multiple other fami-
lies along their feeding journey.

However, becoming a parent in the spring of 2015 completely transformed my ca-
reer perspective and approach. I now understand the anxieties and concerns that
come with parenthood, and it has allowed me to become a different type of clini-
cian… one who’s more empathetic and focused on educating families and provid-
ers. Spurred by this new found passion, and armed with 14 years of pediatric field
experience, I’ve decided to venture into a new approach to therapy.