04/08/2025
When Your Baby Says No to Your Favorite Food
Today, I bought fried rice and a fried egg—one of my favorite meals. Simple, tasty, and something I thought both I and my baby could enjoy together. She's just two years old, and we’ve been slowly figuring out what foods she likes. I was excited. I imagined us sitting down, sharing bites, smiling between spoonfuls.
But as soon as I offered her some, she turned her head away.
Just like that—refused.
I can’t lie. I felt bad. I wasn’t angry, just… disappointed. I had looked forward to that moment. Sharing food is something that feels so comforting, especially with someone you love so much. And when she said “no,” it wasn’t just about the rice. It felt like a small rejection of the connection I wanted to have with her in that moment.
But then I reminded myself—she’s two. She’s still learning, exploring her own preferences, asserting her independence in the only ways she knows how.
It won’t be the last time she says no. And maybe one day, she’ll ask for fried rice on her own, and we’ll laugh about how she used to hate it.
For now, I’ll keep showing up with meals, with patience, and with love. Even when she says no.
