Welcome to YTF Community, a place to safely share in the challenges and joys of feeding our families. And make all of it easier!
There was an influx of additional questions about kids lunch after my post last week (What I Wish I’d Known about Kids Lunch), so we have them today.

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I just learned that my son, who has been getting over a cold, had been forced to finish his lunch at school when he said he wasn’t hungry. I want him to be able to listen to his body—how can I prevent this from happening again? —Lucy
This happened to my son last year at summer camp, so I know how frustrating it can be. And while it can be useful for adults to remind kids to eat enough, especially during short lunch periods, I really don’t want any kid to be forced to eat more than they say they are hungry for. This is what I did.
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I LOVE that you wrote that note and so appreciate you sharing it with us. It’s a gift for kids to have that agency over their intake of food and to be in touch with their natural hunger and fullness cues. As you said, most adults encouraging kids to eat more are well-intentioned but unaware of the negative impact it can have. Your kids are lucky they have you to advocate for them!
Appreciate the comment and thank you for reading!