What is the division of responsibility in feeding?

The division of responsibility (sDOR) is a feeding framework from dietitian Ellyn Satter, and it's the backbone of most no-pressure advice you'll hear.

The split is simple: the parent decides what food is served, and when and where. The child decides whether to eat, and how much. That's the whole rule. Your job is to reliably put together meals and snacks — including at least one food your kid is comfortable with — and to keep the table calm. Their job is to listen to their own hunger and fullness.

Why it helps a picky eater: when kids aren't pushed, bribed, or negotiated with, food stops being a battleground, and the pressure that usually *worsens* selective eating goes away. You stay in charge of the menu; they stay in charge of their own body. It sounds passive, but for a lot of families it's the single change that finally lowers the mealtime stress.