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What can I do when my child gets angry if they do not get the food they want? 

Parenting Perspective 

Frustration around food choices is often less about the meal and more about a child’s desire for control, unmet expectations, or sensory sensitivities. If a favourite meal is unavailable, the child may feel ignored or experience a loss of autonomy especially when routines are disrupted or when food holds emotional meaning. Supporting your child through this requires a balance of empathy and consistent boundaries. 

Click below to discover meaningful books that nurture strong values in your child and support you on your parenting journey

Anticipate and involve 

To reduce emotional reactions at mealtimes: 

  • Use a visual menu or daily meal schedule when possible. 
  • Offer structured choices: Do you want lentils or chicken today? 
  • Acknowledge their emotions: You were hoping for something else. 
  • State the current reality gently: This is the situation we are currently dealing with. 

Avoid negotiating under pressure. Instead, encourage patience and emotional composure. Involve the child in meal preparation or table setting to shift the focus from control to contribution. This approach promotes emotional maturity, where boundaries are respected and feelings are still validated. 

Spiritual Insight 

Allah Almighty states in Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 172: 

O you who are believers, consume from amongst that which is purified, which We (Allah Almighty) have provided for you; and be grateful to Allah (Almighty), if you (truly) worship (Allah Almighty) exclusively. 

This verse teaches that food is not merely sustenance it is a divine provision that should be received with gratitude rather than entitlement. When children learn this, the focus shifts from insisting to appreciating. 

Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ embodied grace and contentment regarding food. It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3259: 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never criticized any food. If it pleased him, he would eat it and if it did not he would leave it. 

Use this Sunnah as a practical teaching moment: 

  • The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never demanded a different meal. 

Incorporate a simple, reflective prayer before meals: 

O Allah, help me be patient and thankful for what I have today. 

By combining spiritual guidance with practical consistency, mealtimes transform into valuable moments for teaching children gratitude, emotional control, and reverence for what has been provided. 

Click below to discover meaningful books that nurture strong values in your child and support you on your parenting journey

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