Kids Say the Funniest Things

Feb. 19, 2008 - Dinner Rules

A few nights ago we did something different. We stepped outside our comfort zone and actually grilled salmon! GASP! For a 'no seafood as a rule' family, this was incredibly strange and somewhat awkward. The cooking process went well, and the specimen turned out looking fairly edible. Then came the true test. Actually helping it pass through our mouths, into our stomachs.

Back up a little and you will know that at our house we have been dealing with picky eaters. Really have been for about 7 years...ever since a certain 7 year old was born...but that's another story...Anyway, I had the bright idea to institute a new rule around here to stop complaining. This idea was discussed between the husband/wife team of this family and then given once as fair warning to the four little eaters. I stood back and waited to see if it would actually work. The rule? If complaints are heard about your dinner in any way, then it will be fed to someone who won't complain and then you get to wait for the next meal. Who won't complain? Lucy. Our 110 pound Golden Retriever. Sounded reasonable. Mostly.

As I'm sure you can see coming, my plan backfired. The four little eaters saw fish being put down on our family dinner table and had the bright idea that if they complained about it, they would not actually have to eat it. You saw that coming right? Strangely I didn't. Temporary blindness maybe.

Well.......we assured them that yes, they did actually have to try this beautiful (I'm sure it would be beautiful to some people) salmon. I then made another mistake. I decided to explain WHY we were trying salmon that evening. "We are doing this to eat healthier, we are doing this to take care of our bodies, to keep them strong, etc, etc, etc,..." My last statement was "We are doing this for daddy". That was where I went wrong. N looks at me and then passes his plate across to Ben and says "Then here daddy, if we are doing this for you,,,you can have mine." For some reason I found this hilariously funny. Maybe because I was thinking the same thing...

In the end, we found the salmon to be indeed edible and will probably try it again in the near future. The four little eaters made it through another meal, and as it turns out, I am in search of the perfect child training ideas for picky eaters,,,,,,again.

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