Picky 4 Year Old

Hi, I’m needing some advice for my son who is 4.

My son, about 7 months ago, decided that he just wanted to stop eating. Every meal is a fight for me to get him to eat. All he wants to do is snack and not on healthy things. I’ve tried the “if, then” bargaining statements, I’ve yelled, I’ve kept cool, I’ve threatened, I’ve negotiated. Honestly, I’ve tried everything and I’m just so damn exhausted from fighting him EVERY MEAL for him to just eat. Like today, I made him a small meal, spaghetti and meat balls and a sandwich. He ate barely half of his sandwich before bursting into tears that he was hot. So I kept my cool and said “ok. What do you want to do about that?” And then he says “I don’t know but I’m tired”. You guys don’t know my child, but these are the excuses he used to get out of eating.

I’m hot/cold

My tummy hurts

I’m tired

I have to go potty (but like every 5 seconds).

I’ve tried letting him watch tv because I thought maybe he was bored but that backfired and he just watches and doesn’t eat.

I just feel so defeated and if I’m being honest, it’s making me despise him a bit because i hate yelling at him and this is the only time I do. I’ve exhausted all the tips I’ve found online, including to not force him to eat. But as soon as I agree to let him get up, he’s hungry. He wants a snack and my husband and I always joke about the AUDACITY it takes for him to look at me after an hour of fighting, negotiating, etc. and also for food but it’s true.

Long post, I’m sorry. I just really need help.