For awhile now we've noticed that Clive is a much fiestier toddler than Chloe ever was. Fiestier meaning he's super stubborn and vocal about it. He's done his share of whining and has already earned himself heinie-discipline.Last night Clive made his stand at the dinner table. I usually serve a main dish along with some kind of bread, fruit and veggies. Clive is most assuredly a fruit and bread man. Last night he saw the muffins and the fruit on the table and he REFUSED to eat his main dish (a yummy bowl of turkey tetrazzini).
We tried spoonful after spoonful and he obstinately kept his mouth shut and vehemently shook his head "no". We explained that he couldn't have a muffin until he ate some of his food. He cried and cried and cried and still would not open his mouth for a spoonful of tetrazzini.
For what seemed like ages, Matt and I repeated our instructions to Clive that he needed to eat one spoonful before getting to partake in muffin bliss. The rest of us finished our dinner while Clive cried intermittently before finally calming down.
We regathered at the table to read a devotional story and Clive decided to try a bite of the turkey tetrazzini. We applauded him loudly and praised him profusely for eating his dinner. By the time the story was over, he had cleaned his bowl.
Matt stood firm and was not about to lose the dinner-fight with Clive. I was so surprised that such a young kiddo would exhibit such a strong will over a spoonful of food! And I'm so glad we won round one. Parents 1, Clive 0.
Have you all experienced this same kind of dinner-table-stubbornness? How do you handle it? Any tips are welcome! Is it just my imagination, or is this rather young for a kiddo to show such overt stubbornness?
6 comments:
Maybe it's a boy thing because Owen was definitely showing his stubborn side long before 17 months. I say be glad you went this long without having a stand off! :)
Yeah, I agree with Kelly. That he held off till 17 months for your first show-down is something to be glad for. But I don't think it's just a boy thing. Maia was 4 months old when we finally admitted to ourselves that we were in for a challenge. And, boy, were we!! :) I'll pray for some extra patience and wisdom for you guys with little Clive!
(from Sarah)
yes we have had our fair number of dinner battles..and no 17 mo is not too young. Usually one of two things are tried..what you described a continual force feeding till they get that first bite it, followed by discipline by not obeying and the worse part is you know they will like it if they would try it or two a timer is put on and they have to have it gone befoe the timer is done (that is for when they are a little older).
Welcome to my life with Eli! He is not an eater by any stretch of the imagination. He'll eat something fine one day, and then refuse to eat it the next day. It's a constant battle with us. So far, everyone tells me is a phase, so hopefully he'll outgrow this 8+month phase that he's been in for too long :-)
Both of mine were oh so stubborn about many things starting around 13 months but I could see it coming even before then even though I kept thinking surely not, they're too young to be so strong willed. Sigh... Oh the wisdom needed!
Silas reared his ugly head at 5 months when he would scream during nap time and refuse to rest--not a good start to life with this little boy and we have been battling ever since!! Eating trials are frequent in the house, but being consistent with things has helped, and them getting older has made a big difference as well.
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