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Mom has some dementia. But she refuses to eat completely when I'm there, and only does so when my siblings are around. It doesn't matter what I do. So I feel really really sad.
It's hard not to take it personally.

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Are you trying too hard? Are you concerned your mother isn’t getting the nutrition she needs? Has it become routine for you to show your concern at mealtime or to try to convince her to take “just one more bite”?

When I was caring, briefly, for my MIL with dementia, she made it clear she disliked being the sole focus of my attention and she would push back when she’d had enough of it.

I wasn’t with her long enough to come up with ‘tricks’ but I think I would have tried things like being too ‘busy’ to sit down with her when she eats or having music on at mealtimes. Maybe have Tv Tray Tuesdays when both of you eat in front of the tv or serve Finger Foods on Fridays from paper plates. Try root beer floats you make right in front of her so she can watch them foam. Try not to get so serious about food; if she skips a meal or eats too lightly once in awhile it’s ok. Nothing will work every time or forever.
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Reply to Peasuep
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It's hard not to take all the ugly behaviors personally, I agree. Perhaps you should allow mom to eat alone from now on. It's perfectly ok to feel sad about the fact mom has dementia, because there's nothing happy about it. Some things should be mourned, and this is one of them.

Sending you my condolences for your pain.
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Reply to lealonnie1
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You are taking "dementia behaviors" personally? It is time then to get more education about the disorder, because it never makes sense and it is not meant personally.
I WILL say that when you CHOOSE to do home caregiving, that you move from being the DD (darling daughter) to being the caregiver. That is a whole different thing. Your daughter is loved and cherished, but your caregiver seldom is because she requires things of you.

It is worth seeing what looks different about a table she shares with the other kids, and one she does with you. Be certain there is no criticism of amounts she eats or how she eats. She isn't your little child (despite seeming like one at time). Take note of how she is treated, if differently from how you normally treat her during meals.

Other than that there's little you can do. Doesn't sound awful if this is the worst of caregiving right now.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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For me, I can't eat if I'm stressed, but I've had eating issues way back.

I have had the opposite issue, I don't like to let mom eat alone all the time, so I try and eat lunch with her, a couple times a week, but she stresses me, it's been better because I've been able to let go of much of my anxiety, but it's been very hard for me to eat around her.

If I'm with anyone that I feel is going to look at my plate, comment on my food, or even think of eating of my plate, my stomach closes.

It comes from having an ex husband that is 5"6 and weighed 350. Spouse of an alcoholic hates alcohol. I started to hate food.

This is just a different perspective, I would keep your meal time at moms, as light and friendly as you can , never talk or mention food. Don't say oh that looks good or smells good, or anything about the food , then see if nature takes its course.

Try that and go from there. Food for some is often about control, when I don't feel my life is in control, I control the one and only thing I can, which is food

But, this may not be the issue at all, some place to start though.

Best of luck
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Reply to Anxietynacy
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Perhaps when your sibs are there she feels she needs to put on her company manners, but with you she feels comfortable enough to be herself and do what she really wants
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Reply to cwillie
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AlvaDeer 5 hours ago
What a great answer. When you are with your caregiver, for better or worse you are HOME. When you are with the others, they are guests or you are. I want to eliminate my answer and STEAL yours!
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