In recent meals, I've had success getting her to eat the less tempting part of the entree by putting her fruit or other treat in front of her, in a little separate bowl, past her plate. She knows what she has to do to get to the bowl. Today at lunch, she had some dried apricots waiting to see the bottom of her chili bowl. I came upon her with missing apricots and chili still chilling.
"Bethelle, did you eat your apricots?"
"No."
"What happened to them?"
"I don't know."
Lying is second only to disobedience in our house. The first order of business was a time-out, followed by a discussion. Next, I told her that since she had already eaten the treat, that meant that she had to finish the chili. She must sit in her chair until the chili was gone. She said she was full, but I told her that's what happens when you eat the treat first.
Bethelle sat in that chair for at least two hours. Maybe 2 1/2. She just sang and played and told me that I am "the best kid ever". She only had about two big bites in the bowl, but she just sat and sat. She finally ate it, happily. I am amazed that she would do that without complaint. Now we'll just have to see how much she minded it by if it ever happens again.
2 comments:
Two and a half HOURS?! Holy moley.
Wow, you're a good mama. My girls have that persiverence, but they would have been crying the whole time, telling me that I was being too hard on them. Bethelle is a sweetie!
- Sara xx
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