Beth Grosshans is an experienced child psychologist who has operated her practice in Princeton, New Jersey for over 25 years. As a psychologist, Beth Grosshans is interested in looking into the reasons behind power struggles between children and their parents, including at the ever-important dinner table. In her acclaimed book, 'Beyond Time Out', Dr. Grosshans examines common power struggle dynamics. Just about every parent of young children has experienced screaming, tantrums, thrown food, and more at the dinner table as their children struggle for power at the dinner table. Parents have a tendency to overreact when children refuse to eat certain foods, especially healthy ones. While it may seem to be a good idea to force a child to eat their dinner, it may be doing more harm than good. If a child genuinely does not like a particular food and refuses to eat it, a parent needs to take a step back and evaluate the situation. By forcing them to eat something they genuinely dislike, they may develop issues with food as they age. When negative emotions and distress become associated with mealtime, it can lead to a whole host of negative issues. While it may seem like the child is holding power over the parent by refusing to eat, and the parent wants to assert their control, it may not be worth the energy. Developing positive emotions and feelings around mealtime is important, and there are many ways to ensure a child gets the nutrition they need throughout the day.

1. Examining the Power Struggle at
the Dinner Table
Beth Grosshans

2. Introduction
Beth Grosshans is an experienced child psychologist who has
operated her practice in Princeton, New Jersey for over 25 years. As
a psychologist, Beth Grosshans is interested in looking into the
reasons behind power struggles between children and their parents,
including at the ever-important dinner table.

3. In her acclaimed book, 'Beyond Time Out', Dr. Grosshans examines
common power struggle dynamics. Just about every parent of
young children has experienced screaming, tantrums, thrown food,
and more at the dinner table as their children struggle for power at
the dinner table. Parents have a tendency to overreact when
children refuse to eat certain foods, especially healthy ones. While
it may seem to be a good idea to force a child to eat their dinner, it
may be doing more harm than good.

4. If a child genuinely does not like a particular food and refuses to
eat it, a parent needs to take a step back and evaluate the
situation. By forcing them to eat something they genuinely dislike,
they may develop issues with food as they age. When negative
emotions and distress become associated with mealtime, it can lead
to a whole host of negative issues.

5. While it may seem like the child is holding power over the parent by
refusing to eat, and the parent wants to assert their control, it may
not be worth the energy. Developing positive emotions and feelings
around mealtime is important, and there are many ways to ensure
a child gets the nutrition they need throughout the day.