Sticking to My Guns

For, well ever, Nate has not really sat at the table to eat. He might sometimes, but he would mostly run around and then come back for a bite and then leave again. Or sometimes he would like to eat on the couch. I figured he is old enough to be sitting with us at the table now. So one night that's what he had to do. He was NOT happy. I strapped him in to his booster seat and when he realized that he was not going to be able to get out, it was on. The screaming & crying fit lasted for what seemed like forever, but was probably only 30 minutes. A very long 30 minutes. Several times during that fit I contemplated giving him in: he's not going to eat so I might as well just let him down. But I didn't. Instead I told myself that I can sit there for a long time. Every few minutes I would offer his dinner to him again, trying to keep my cool as he would scream louder and push it away. Then it stopped. He pointed to his plate. I lifted a spoonful to his mouth, he opened and swallowed it down. Victory! He went on to finish dinner and has been expected to eat with us ever since. It has gone well, for the most part. There has been another time but the fit lasted only a few minutes, he knew.

I cannot explain the feeling afterwards. I was relieved because I did not have a back up plan. But I was so happy. Parenting IS hard, but is so rewarding when you don't give in and it works. As a bonus, we went out to eat the other night and Nate sat at the table and colored and ate and never tried getting down once (one of the reasons we cannot go out to eat). He sat like a big boy and it was wonderful. Maddie slept and we could actually enjoy a meal out. Ah, it's good to stick to your guns!