Stuology

Yes, I use trickery on my children

May 15th, 2009By: Mellystu Comments 2

When Ada was first introduced to broccoli, she couldn’t shove it in her mouth fast enough. A little later in her life time line, she developed a disgust for broccoli so strong that even putting some near her caused her to gag. Bring a piece of spinach near her, she covers her entire head with her hands just to make sure you can’t sneak it into any facial orifice. If you do get any in her mouth, she screams and writhes and claims that it has hurt her mouth and she needs medicine, code quick.

The other day, Ada came in from the back yard eating leaves she picked off a tree. After we discussed why she needs to not eat random things she picks out of the yard, I then quizzed her on why she can eat non-cleaned yard clippings, but will not eat broccoli, even with cheese on it.

Last night, I had both broccoli and baby spinach at the table. I gave her a little broccoli, but when she gave me a wide-eyed, arm waving warning that she did not like the spinach, I assured her that she did not have to eat it. Then, while we were eating, Mac told Ada, “Do you know where mommy got the spinach? She got it from the back yard.” Guess who ate the spinach? And then I told her that the broccoli was just little tiny trees, and I liked eating the trees just like the dinosaurs, guess who then also ate her broccoli? The only time she ended up crying during the green-eating session was when she accidentally ate a part of a discarded shrimp tail with her broccoli. That she spit out and cried out for medicine in between vigorously wiping her tongue clean of all offending pieces.

For those who think all you need to do to get a child to eat healthy items is just sit it in front of them are delusional. It takes a much greater, slight-of-hand trickery to master the art of Feeding Your Child. Trust me.