A little back story. My son, the lovely Mattison, 8 years old, our first born, stubborn as a mule. He won’t eat meat. No chicken, no beef, no fish (even though it’s forbidden in the house), no pork. The only thing he’ll eat that even remotely resembles meat is pepperoni – can you even classify that as meat? Our pediatrician (who we no longer see for other reasons) told us, “oh he’ll grow out of it”….that was 7 1/2 years ago. Our current pediatrician said, “yep, he’ll grow out of it.” …that was 2 years ago. A few months ago we once again told her, HE’S NOT GROWING OUT OF IT! She tells us fine, put your foot down, don’t cater to his wants, either he eats what you make for dinner or goes to bed hungry.
We gave her idea a shot and went to bed a few too many times without food for my comfort. Then came our ‘plan’. Bribery.
This is what a lost bet looks like.
The other night I made this scrumptious little chicken pot pie bake for dinner. Being the stubborn kid he is wouldn’t touch any of it because the chicken had touched it. My husband, full well knowing there’s nothing on this Earth that could make this kid eat meat made a bet with the odds in his favor.
Mattison, if you eat one piece of chicken, I’ll take you to K-Mart right now and buy you that skateboard you’ve been begging for.
This kid’s eyes lit up so bright you’d swear they were radioactive. After a little fussing and a trip to his bedroom, the bet was off, my husband had won, but really, is there a winner when you’re kid goes to bed hungry? Not 5 minutes later he comes out of his room with a smile and tells me he’ll eat the chicken. Shocked by his change of heart I just knew there had to be some kind of trick up his sleeve. But…I can’t be fooled. I was the pickiest eater and had all the tricks – spit in the napkin, take a huge bite and go to the bathroom and spit it out, hide it under the table, you name it I did it to avoid food.
I set the timer to 5 minutes and off he went, nibbling bite after bite of the chicken chunk. No gagging noises, no crying, no puking at the table. I was SHOCKED! When I asked him why he could eat it this time without puking – unlike so many times in the past….his response? “I told myself in my head I would like it.”
And now he’s the brand new owner of this skateboarding death contraption.
I have a feeling my husband won’t be making anymore dinner bets.
About Cat Davis
ya bets don’t always seem to be good in my house either! My baby that’s 2 hates meat too. I have no idea why , but this girl will not eat any kind of meat at all! I try to hide it in sauces and things not she spits it right back at me ! I sure hope she grows out of it too. Death contraption they are , they freak me out ! I hate watching my boys on them! Have a great night Cat
I’m so glad my step kids are not picky..I sure hope Sarah isnt picky. I don’t know what to do with my niece half the time she won’t eat anything but a chicken nugget or noodles…spoiled…now she did eat Crab when we took her to Red Lobster..but Who in the world has that kind of money to cater to a kiddo like that LOL
have a daughter who will not eat meat or chicken but give her a hamburger she is happy. Dont understand it but she is 18 now so I guess we got by somehow
Cat,
It sure appears as if Mattison is enjoying his new toy. Man, I’m probably the last person you should read from regarding making him eat meat. It’s too bad the doctor didn’t also offer some meat alternatives. Did you ever ask Mattison why he doesn’t eat/like meat? I’m a lacto-ovo vegetarian and instead of forcing my kids to eat as I do (my husband eats meat), I serve meat to them (vegetables too – lots) and allow them to eat it or not while being sure they get the nutrients they need. Fortunately, I like to cook, so I have a good assortment of recipes that I make. I do happen to lean more towards vegetarian meals, but I stick some meat in there every once in a while to satisfy that appetite.
It sounds like you may have a new eater at the table. With a growing boy, all I have to add is you better make more food to serve.
For the most part we’ve given up on forcing the issue. He’s not underweight, growing nice and tall so I figure he’s getting what he needs with all those grilled cheeses, veggies and spaghetti.
your story cracks me up! it looks like your son won and he knows how to rock a skateboard! next time you make chicken something, tell him, you ate chicken once, it didn’t kill you.. now you can eat it again. it’s good.
ps… let me know if that works! haha
LOL Yeah, I don’t see that working.
Ha! That is hilarious. I know all about stubborn, but sounds like he has the ability to set his mind on something and achieve it. Way to go for him!
He is looking pretty comfy on that skateboard!
OmG that’s so funny! Really backfired didn’t it? Funny too because the same thing happened in my house tonight….not the bribery part but the going to bed hungry. Kids are so picky sometimes. Hope he enjoys his new death trap and stays safe while on it. You might need a blindfold for you though.
Ha ha yeah those are the good pictures. I’ve got a dozen more of him just second from falling on his head…thus the snazzy little helmet there. Hubby wouldn’t let me deck him out in knee pads and elbow pads, he thinks I’ve dorkified him enough.
[...] All Bets are Off Boy vs Food ~ Three Kids & Us [...]
Too cute!!
My almost 2 year old is not crazy about most meats right now.
His meat of choice is venison ( yuck!)
I will remerber this story and only try top bribe with stickers or cookies!
So funny. Both my boys are total meat eaters. They will eat their meat and nothing else. So do you think this is a sign of what’s to come? He sure does look good on his new skateboard, I think it was a GOOD bribe