Chapter 22- Child Nutrition

I'm at a loss. I'm not sure where to go from here. I need to start being disciplined as far as my boy's eating habits. Suggestions?

Up to this point, I've been feeding Carter things that he wants. Things that he asks for, but apparently that isn't the way to do it. Do I need to limit the snacking during the day so that he will eat fattier things at the dinner table with daddy and I? Do I need to make him eat every meal at the table? Breakfast and lunch are casual dinning, we aren't really structured in that area.

I've heard the saying that kids need boundaries, and rules. Does this also apply to eating? In my wildest dreams I never thought that this would be the issue that I would face when raising kids. I thought that behavior and other milestones were the big things to watch. Here I am with a 21 pound 2 year old. Maybe I do need to see the dietitian. Then at least I could be told what I need to do to help. Then I would know what I am doing wrong.

I try not to feel like I am failing in some respect. It's tough to not believe that aspects of your child reflect your parenting skills. You see that kid in the grocery store screaming and throwing themselves on the ground and in the back of your mind you think, "If that kid were mine, I would never let it act that way." So we judge the parent. I suppose that a child's weight has a lot to do with the parent. What are they feeding that kid? I think the worse part is the thought that people might be wondering if I am starving my kid. He's malnourished, and I am to blame.

I also hear in my head, "Don't worry about it, he's a happy kid. He's on track as far as the rest of the milestones go." But I know that healthy eating habits are started young, I don't want him to think that he can just snack all day and not worry about needing to eat meals.

So here's the other issue. I love my parents. They raised me, so I owe them everything, but they are getting a little overbearing when it comes to Carter. They are INSISTING that I take him to a pediatrician to get a second opinion. I'm not sure what to do! I'm only trying to do what is beast for my son. I don't need outside forces clashing with each other. The doctor says to take him to a dietitian. may parent's want a  pediatrician's thoughts. Here Carter and I stuck in the middle, just trying to get things right.

In the end it really is Keith and my decision. We are Carter's parents and what we put in front of him is literally in our hands. So I ask that if you have any thoughts as to what I need to do to help my son gain weight I will gladly take them. I'm wondering if meat is an issue. He doesn't eat a lot of meat. Could that help? I really do feel lost and confused.