Convincing a toddler to eat
“Don’t want!” The toddler said to me with finality. With a plate of scrambled eggs in one hand and a yellow plastic spoon in the other, I evaluated my options.
“Eat one spoon and we go see jajja.” I tried to broker a deal. The little Human being accepted the deal. He devoured a spoonful of eggs. “Go jajja,” he said, demanding that I keep my end of the deal.
“Eat another spoon we go supermarket,” I shifted goalposts. I was going to make as many deals as possible for him to eat these eggs. He jumped up from the couch and started running around. He was stalling for time. He did three laps around the couch.
“Come eat your eggs or we are going to have a problem,” I threatened. I do not believe in spanking children so they can eat their food so this was an empty threat. He just continued doing his laps like an accomplished Kenyan Olympic athlete. I smelled defeat.
I decided to change tactics. “Yuuuum,” I said emphatically as I devoured a spoonful of eggs hoping the child would want to be like Daddy. The marathon runner continued his exploits.
I placed the red plastic bowl containing the eggs on the coffee table. I intercepted the runner and told him the games were over. When he noticed that Mzee was serious, he ate another spoonful. And another one. Then he struggled to get free.
I picked up the remote and switched on the TV. I tuned into Disney Junior and PJ Masks was airing. “PJ Masks,” I announced, while pointing to the TV dramatically. He stopped struggling and eyed the cartoon as if debating if he was interested or not. He relaxed and leaned back watching the cartoon characters dashing across the screen. By now half the eggs were gone.
A feeling of accomplishment washed over me. Getting this little person to eat can be a hassle. I tried to get him to eat another spoonful of eggs. He would not open his mouth. “Eat one more.” I cajoled him.
“No!” he responded with finality. I knew there would be no more eating at this point.
“Do you want Chai?” I asked, to which he answered in the affirmative. I headed to the kitchen to make him some tea. Any form of feeding was welcome at this point.
