To NOT make dinner if they didn't answer my question.
...
several options. There are usually leftovers in the refrigerator. There are plenty of ingredients in the kitchen. There are plenty of take out options nearby.
Thank you for clarifying that your choice to "NOT make dinner" does not equate to your child going without a meal, but defaults to self-serve options: reheating a plate of leftovers for herself, preparing her own meal from ingredients on-hand, or ordering take-out.
And in no way would I consider this a "punishment" much less abuse or neglect.
I agree that self-serve options are not punishment, abuse, or neglect. My post, which you quoted, was specifically about
withholding food, not about self-serve options.
To re-focus on the OP subject of "I don't know" and "ok," it appears that there is general agreement among the different posts that certain factors are important in helping kids learn decision-making skills:
- parental coaching, guidance, role-modeling
- talking with kids, listening to them, valuing their input
- giving them time to think and discuss
