Parents provide, child decides
What is the Division of Responsibility?
The Division of Responsibility (DOR) in feeding is a simple, evidence-based approach that helps create positive and stress-free mealtimes for children. It outlines clear roles for both caregivers and children: caregivers decide what, when, and where food is offered, while children decide whether to eat and how much. By respecting these roles, children are supported to listen to their hunger and fullness cues, build confidence with food, and develop a healthy relationship with eating over time.
Parent Roles, Child Roles
Under DOR, parents are responsible for:
What food is offered
- Parents decide what foods are included in their family’s diet, and will be provided at any meal or snack.
When food is offered
- Parents are in charge of when to provide snacks and meals. It’s ok to let your child know that there is a little wait before the next meal or snack.
Where food is offered
- Parents decide where meals are eaten- at the table, kitchen bench, on the couch, on a picnic rug.
Under DOR, children are responsible for:
What foods they will eat, out of what was offered
- Children decide what to eat, from what you have provided. This may be some of everything, or just 1-2 parts of the meal!
How much they eat of the foods offered, including if they eat at all
- Children are responsive to appetite cues, they know how much to eat and when they have had enough. Let them choose how much to eat, even if they decide to not eat at a meal.
Download the infographic here:
