You wrote that the kids cry when their father tells them to eat or go hungry and you feel bad, what should I do? First of all....let them cry; Secondly...stop feeling bad. When did you become a short order cook. These kids aren't going to be able to do this the rest of their lives--so they might as well change now. Let them choose what they want to eat from the food that you prepare.... Demand that they make NO negative comments on the food on the table. If they only want to eat the beans--let them eat beans only; if they only want to eat jello--let them eat jello only. They'll get tired of it eventually and the power struggle will end.