The mealtime battles with the Toddler continue. Here, Husband tries a new approach:
Husband: Aren't you going to eat your sandwich?
Him: NO!
Husband: Then have some pear.
Him: NO!
Husband: Don’t you want to grow up to be big and strong like Daddy?
Him: NO!
Husband: Oh, well. Then, I guess you’ll end up like Mommy.
Thanks. Thanks a lot.



If it were my nephew, I'd follow with:
Me: Well, would you like some chocolate cake instead?
Him: Yes!
Me: Too bad! Oh FACE!
Him: (cries)
Posted by: Heather | May 12, 2008 at 09:31 PM
At the risk of sounding really callous -- did it work?
Posted by: NurseJen | May 13, 2008 at 05:43 AM
I'm so glad to hear that someone else has a toddler that won't eat. Hee! Misery loves company! My two little one live on air and kisses. And the chocolate chip cookies Grandma sneaks to them.
Posted by: Whatacard | May 13, 2008 at 07:52 AM
I have never yet seen small children starve TO DEATH after turning down a healthy, balanced meal.
I have, on the other hand, seen them come downstairs half an hour after bedtime and devour the dinner they rejected only two hours earlier.
Posted by: Family Nutritionist | May 13, 2008 at 08:52 AM
My son's first word was a distinct 'No!', uttered in reference to strained green beans.
Posted by: ntsc | May 13, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Ouch.
Happy day after Mother's Day I guess.
Posted by: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah | May 13, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Hi, I found your blog through Looky Daddy. I have spent too much time going through your archives in the past couple of days!
I really enjoy it and will be checking in often.
Your sense of humor is awesome!
Posted by: danish | May 13, 2008 at 04:41 PM
danish: Hey, thanks! If you came from Looky Daddy, then you must have good taste!
Sarah: My family likes to keep it real on Mother's Day and every other day.
ntsc: It's not easy being green.
Family Nutritionist: I have also known small children to be unpleasantly surprised to find last night's rejected dinner making another appearance at lunchtime.
Whatacard: Air and kisses! Love it. Plus, fewer diaper changes.
NurseJen: You could see he was conflicted, but, in the end, the prospect of eating a pear seemed far worse than ending up like me. I guess I should be flattered. Pears are delicious.
Heather: Why, you ARE the favorite auntie, aren't you!
Posted by: Tammy | May 13, 2008 at 10:47 PM
And I thought *I* was mean.
Posted by: Family Nutritionist | May 14, 2008 at 11:36 AM
my whole life is about getting a toddler to eat (and much of my blog). my pediatrician thinks you need to look at nutritition over the week or month--i.e. whole picture. easier said than done, I say, but I try to think about that when Belle refuses. I also always think this is really just her trying to assert herself and gain some maturity.
Posted by: maybelles mom | May 25, 2008 at 08:31 AM