One weekend Tyler and I were visiting my parents and we were having one of our many deep discussions with them, when I asked... "what is one thing you would change about your parenting techniques from when we were kids?"
My mom was quick to answer. She told me, "The constant fight over eating. For years it seemed like every mealtime was a battle with you kids. You have to pick your battle."
I've tried to remember that piece of advice when all the sudden after turning into a toddler, Jaxon became the most stubborn little man at lunch/dinner time. He's always been picky, which I feel like I'm probably to blame. But more than just picky, he turned into stubborn. He didn't want to eat what I served at all, so I would make him something else. Turns out after my husband tattled on me to our pediatrician, that is not recommended. {yeah I knew it all along, but what was the other choice? to send him to bed hungry?} Apparently, yes. If he does not want to eat what I made, then he doesn't eat at all. And I'm happy to say I've only broken that rule a couple times we've stuck to that rule pretty well.
My big thing is getting him to just try it. Take ONE bite. If you don't like it and you choose not to eat the rest of your meal, then fine. But I want him to at least try it. Can I get an amen?
One day at lunch, I made him PB&J. A classic around here, I swear I have it for lunch at least 3-4 times a week. Jaxon eats it fairly well, but this day he was refusing to take a single bite. I mean, really? Something that I knew he liked... he was just being stubborn and I knew it. Usually my rule for taking one bite doesn't work because he throws a fit and after 10 minutes I'm tired of it, so I usually let him down. But this day was different... I was in a stubborn-kind of mood myself, and wasn't having it. He was going to take a bite before he got down, even if it meant him taking his afternoon nap at the table. Seriously, I was adamant.
During this period of time, I probably told him at least 100 times "Jaxon, if you take one bite of your sandwich you can get down. Just one!" I sat in the living room where I could see him sitting at the table, and watched him just stare at the sandwich. He'd touch it now and then, pick it up, but always put it back down. On and off he'd cry, and I would gently remind him to just take one bite.
An hour and 6 minutes later, he took that single bite of PB&J. An hour and 6 minutes... think about how long that had to have been for a 2 year old. I praised him like crazy, clapping, jumping, telling him what a good boy he was... and he was allowed down from the table.
The point of this story? Every meal since then, when I have asked him to take one bite before getting down, he does it immediately. Immediately! Sometimes he'll even take one bite, realize it's yummy, and have multiple more.
And this my friends, is what we call a Mommy victory. They are few and far between these days, so we need to celebrate.
Who wants a diet coke?
Yes for mom victories! I totally sympathize--my kid will suddenly not even TRY things that she loves. If only she were of age to reason with!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I'd *LOVE* a diet Coke!
High five mama! I have actually said to Tony a few times after Isaac gives in on a stubborn battle, "I win."
ReplyDeleteAhh, I think I just breathed a sigh of relief for you! Great job, momma!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lesson we can learn about our relationship with God. Seriously, it's like God tells me the same thing over and over..just do it, just obey me..then we can get on our way with something else. Just obey..immediately! Don't sit there and cry and pout because you're going to have to do it one way or another..it can take you 5 seconds or 10 years, but I'm still not letting you off the hook. You've got to obey.
ReplyDeleteDANG. Thanks Jaxon, for the lesson. :)
OH MY GOSH!! I seriously laughed out loud SO HARD at that photos. Love it, Megan. And YAY for a mommy victory! :)
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo!!!!!!!! Rock on! This is how I felt about sleep training. It was a huge battle for a couple days, and I cried a lot, too, but ever since then...BLISS! Thanks for sharing this-what an encouragement!
ReplyDeleteHAHA, that picture is a classic. :)
ReplyDeleteMegan, you're such a great Mom. I'm taking notes!
You go mom! I understand as jade and jaxon are a week apart. I hate those battles but sadly learned at 9 months with jade they were worth it (she was not going to nap so for a week straight she cried twice a day for 2 hours in her crib and my ped told us to or we would lose). The victory definitely helps make up for the moments of near tears as mom fights through the battle. You are an awesome mom! Jody
ReplyDelete