A mum has revealed her clever feeding hack for her five-year-old daughter who only ate turkey dinosaurs and waffles.
Karis Turner, 23, was determined to see her daughter Scarlett-Mai ditch the dinosaurs in favour of some veggies and fish - so invented a colourful chart to encourage her to try something different.
The single mum, from Heywood, Manchester, rewards her daughter's healthier choices - like salmon fish cakes and Quorn cottage pie - with stickers and medals weekly.
Karis said: "Scarlett-Mai wasn't getting the nutrients she needs as she would refuse to eat anything but classic child dinners such as waffles and dinosaurs.
"I thought if I make trying new foods fun and a competition, she will be encouraged to change her ways.
"I purchased some plastic medals, trophies and printed off certificates and bought some happy and sad stickers to show what she liked and disliked.
"But so far, we have only had to use the smiley stickers as she has loved everything, and she can't believe it.
"Before the chart, she wouldn't even have a spoonful of anything that looked different to what she is used to but now she likes chicken curry, all-day vegetarian breakfast and lots of vegetables.
"She just needed a push into the right direction and now that we have got the momentum going, it is easy.
"I am able to pick her school dinners online and we sit down and discuss what she would like to try - she can have two stickers if she steps out of her comfort zone.
"At the end of the week, if she has eaten all her dinners, I give her a medal and we can do an activity of her choice like baking.
"Scarlett-Mai now enjoys most foods and she gets so excited to tell me at the end of school - her new favourite dish is cheesy leak and ham pie."
The idea sprung to mind when Karis introduced a reading book chart and noticed Scarlett-Mai's enthusiasm towards books had changed.
She picks five books a week to read and is rewarded with stickers - Karis says even her teachers have noticed the improvement.
She adds: "Kids need a push in the right direction, and I have helped Scarlett-Mai by using my imagination.
"These days a lot of parents my age are glued to their phones and only half heartedly help their kids with homework and reading.
"Whereas I make sure I dedicate 30 minutes of my day to Scarlett-Mai's reading without any distractions.
"It has made our relationship stronger and her confidence is sky high as she is getting better and better.
"I was told at parents evening that her reading has improved, and she has started to buckle down at school.
"Kids love to feel appreciated and the extra half an hour reading every night means the world to her.
"She receives a certificate for her reading which only takes me a few minutes to create but they mean so much to her and gives her a sense of accomplishment."
To see more of Karis and Scarlett-Mai follow @youngmumsdiaries on Instagram .
