Why I don't like cooking
So this morning, kids seemed a lot better (they'd had 4 days of fevers up to 104F), I had more energy, and I felt like making a "real" meal (instead of leftovers like we've had last few days). Kids love potatoes, so I decided to make scalloped potatoes and these really fancy and exceptionally tasty vegetable patties. It took me almost 90 minutes to get everything made, in the oven, and the kitchen cleaned but oh how good everything looked! I also made a delicious salad with cucumbers, avocado, and olives.
By 1:00 pm, kids plates were neatly served with little bowl of side salad. I sit down to "enjoy" the work of my hands with the kiddos. Amy walks into the kitchen and looks disdainfully at her steaming plate.
"Oh mommy, I don't like potatoes I want oranges for lunch. And I don't like patties they are yucky."
I don't say anything and Amy takes her place at the table sobbing softly and starts picking at her food.
Michael shows up.
"Duice momma, I wan duice."
"Ah no Michael," I reply. "You have to eat your vegetables."
There is an immediate and complete meltdown from Michael. Tears roll down his cheeks. Sobs rack his body as he continues to cry for juice.
He.does.not.get.juice. The crying subsides.
Amy continues to pick at her food and then very ceremoniously gets up from the table and purposefully walks to the other end of the kitchen.
"Mommy, do you remember that YOU said that the NEXT time I got up I had to be ALL DONE eating?"
(Ahh yes, I do remember that conversation...never thought she'd use it to manipulate me)
"OK, Amy." I reply. "You can be all done and immediately go and take a nap."
There is a sudden change in direction and attitude and a little lady manages to find her seat and start pecking at her food again.
"Oh mommy, I'll keep eating, I'm not tired!"
(so yes, I can still outwit this kid)
"Mommy, my tummy hurts and so I need to be done." Amy tries another tactic to avoid eating. Amy is told to just eat her food and stop complaining. Meanwhile, Michael is chowing down and has finished everything on his plate and in his bowl. He tries asking for juice AGAIN and is reminded he won't be getting juice this meal. Michael then starts chanting "waffle, waffle, waffle!" I get him a waffle.
"You're naughty momma, today, because I AM the mother." Amy is still upset about having to eat her lunch.
"Ahm, no, you do NOT call your mother naughty."
"But momma, I'm having a hard time eating this food."
"Well keep working on it."
Silence reigns. Amy actually finishes her potato and vegetable patty.
"Mommy, I was just 'tending my tummy hurt."
"Yes, I know. Is that a good thing to do?"
"Well, isn't it OK to just 'PETEND' our tummies are hurting?"
"No, that's lying."
"Oh."
"Yeah and do you remember what the consequence is for lying?
"Yeah, I'll stop pretending."
Silence again as Amy finishes her salad and Michael devours his waffle. Suddenly Amy happily announces, "I'm ALL done mommy!"
She is ALL done! Despite the rough start, both kids managed to finish all their food and are soon happily playing in the living room.
I survey the mess: scalloped potatoes only 1/10 eaten, vegetable patties barely touched, half an avocado and cucumber still unused. And yes, I will get to ditto above scenario for the next.five.days.
Which is why I'm blogging...Hopefully next time I feel inspired to work hard and make a fancy meal I'll remember to read this blog and instead get inspired to make plain beans and rice.
By 1:00 pm, kids plates were neatly served with little bowl of side salad. I sit down to "enjoy" the work of my hands with the kiddos. Amy walks into the kitchen and looks disdainfully at her steaming plate.
"Oh mommy, I don't like potatoes I want oranges for lunch. And I don't like patties they are yucky."
I don't say anything and Amy takes her place at the table sobbing softly and starts picking at her food.
Michael shows up.
"Duice momma, I wan duice."
"Ah no Michael," I reply. "You have to eat your vegetables."
There is an immediate and complete meltdown from Michael. Tears roll down his cheeks. Sobs rack his body as he continues to cry for juice.
He.does.not.get.juice. The crying subsides.
Amy continues to pick at her food and then very ceremoniously gets up from the table and purposefully walks to the other end of the kitchen.
"Mommy, do you remember that YOU said that the NEXT time I got up I had to be ALL DONE eating?"
(Ahh yes, I do remember that conversation...never thought she'd use it to manipulate me)
"OK, Amy." I reply. "You can be all done and immediately go and take a nap."
There is a sudden change in direction and attitude and a little lady manages to find her seat and start pecking at her food again.
"Oh mommy, I'll keep eating, I'm not tired!"
(so yes, I can still outwit this kid)
"Mommy, my tummy hurts and so I need to be done." Amy tries another tactic to avoid eating. Amy is told to just eat her food and stop complaining. Meanwhile, Michael is chowing down and has finished everything on his plate and in his bowl. He tries asking for juice AGAIN and is reminded he won't be getting juice this meal. Michael then starts chanting "waffle, waffle, waffle!" I get him a waffle.
"You're naughty momma, today, because I AM the mother." Amy is still upset about having to eat her lunch.
"Ahm, no, you do NOT call your mother naughty."
"But momma, I'm having a hard time eating this food."
"Well keep working on it."
Silence reigns. Amy actually finishes her potato and vegetable patty.
"Mommy, I was just 'tending my tummy hurt."
"Yes, I know. Is that a good thing to do?"
"Well, isn't it OK to just 'PETEND' our tummies are hurting?"
"No, that's lying."
"Oh."
"Yeah and do you remember what the consequence is for lying?
"Yeah, I'll stop pretending."
Silence again as Amy finishes her salad and Michael devours his waffle. Suddenly Amy happily announces, "I'm ALL done mommy!"
She is ALL done! Despite the rough start, both kids managed to finish all their food and are soon happily playing in the living room.
I survey the mess: scalloped potatoes only 1/10 eaten, vegetable patties barely touched, half an avocado and cucumber still unused. And yes, I will get to ditto above scenario for the next.five.days.
Which is why I'm blogging...Hopefully next time I feel inspired to work hard and make a fancy meal I'll remember to read this blog and instead get inspired to make plain beans and rice.
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