Division of Responsibility
If mealtimes with your child feel like a battle, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle with fussy eating, wondering how to get their child to eat a balanced diet without stress or frustration. One of the most effective approaches to feeding kids is the Division of Responsibility (DOR), a concept developed by renowned dietitian Ellyn Satter. This method helps remove pressure from meals and fosters a healthier relationship with food.
What is the Division of Responsibility?
The Division of Responsibility (DOR) clearly defines the roles of parents and children when it comes to food and eating:
Parents’ Role: Decide what, when, and where food is served.
Children’s Role: Decide if they will eat and how much they will eat.
When parents and children stick to their respective roles, mealtime stress decreases, and kids are more likely to eat intuitively and develop a positive attitude toward food.
How to Implement the Division of Responsibility
1. Parents Decide What to Serve
As the parent, you are in charge of planning balanced, nutritious meals. This means offering a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, and carbohydrates. It’s okay to include familiar, “safe” foods your child likes while also presenting new foods regularly.
2. Parents Set Meal and Snack Times
Routine is key! Offer meals and snacks at predictable times throughout the day. Grazing all day long can make kids less interested in meals as they never really feel hungry. Structured eating times help regulate hunger and appetite.
3. Parents Control the Eating Environment
Mealtimes should be pleasant and free of distractions like screens or toys. Sit together as a family whenever possible, and model healthy eating behaviors by enjoying a variety of foods yourself.
4. Children Decide If and How Much to Eat
Trust your child to listen to their own hunger and fullness cues. Avoid pressuring them to eat a certain amount, try a specific food, or “finish everything on their plate.” Kids need to learn to eat based on their body’s needs, not external pressure.
Why the Division of Responsibility Works
Reduces Mealtime Stress: Kids feel more relaxed when they aren’t pressured to eat.
Encourages Self-Regulation: Children learn to trust their hunger and fullness cues.
Promotes a Positive Relationship with Food: Kids explore food at their own pace without fear or pressure.
Decreases Power Struggles: When parents step back from controlling how much their child eats, the tension at mealtimes decreases.
Common Concerns About DOR
“What if my child only eats small amounts?”
It’s normal for appetites to vary from day to day. Trust that your child will eat enough over time. As long as they have access to a variety of foods at regular meals and snacks, they’ll get what they need.
“What if my child refuses new foods?”
It can take 10-15 exposures (sometimes more) before a child accepts a new food. Continue offering it without pressure, and eventually, they may try it.
“What if my child only eats one food?”
Include a familiar food at each meal, but also serve other options. Over time, their food preferences will expand if they aren’t pressured or bribed.
Want more information?
Make a time to discuss this with us or visit https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/