Because I will never have to say the word "NO."
I have found myself in a battle of epic proportions. The battle of the snack food.
Today we had plans to swim with some of our friends. Before going to the swimming hole, we decided to get lunch. My hope was that a full belly would delay the snacking at the pool. Usually a fool-safe plan, but today my kids decided not to eat lunch. Here is a snippet (albeit onesided) of our conversation at the local burger joint prior to swimming as said to both children.
"Please eat your lunch."
"I said eat your lunch."
"Eat your food and stop playing."
"Stop playing and eat your food."
"If you don't eat your food, there will be no snacks at the pool."
"Are you throwing your food away?"
"If you are done, that's OK. But there will be NO snacks at the pool."
"Is that your decision? To throw your food away?"
"OK, but do you understand that there will be NO snacks purchased at the pool?"
"Do you understand me?"
They said they understood the no snack policy, but in reality they were hoping that I had forgotten that the policy was put in place. We did make it a whole 2 hours before the battle begun. Once it started, it was ugly.
Pick your battles. Choose them wisely. Once you start something, hold your ground. There is no turning back.
"Can I have a snack?"
"No, you may not have a snack. Remember the lunch you threw away? Remember that I said if you don't eat your food there will be no snacking at the pool?"
"Iwannasnack."
"I am sorry. There is no snack."
"I'm really hungry."
"You should have eaten your lunch."
"IWANNASNACK real bad!"
"The answer is no."
"Moooommmmmmmm. Iwannnasnack."
"Go play or we are leaving."
Well, the battle was won. In overtime. By me. It drug on for hours. Both kids held their own. In the end....I hope they learned a lesson.
But I am too worn out to tell you what that lesson is.
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10 comments:
You also get to say "It's almost dinner time. Here, have as many Cheetos as you can stuff in your mouth." And, "No, you don't have to take a nap today!"
Well, I know a grandmama that says those things. :-)
I'm proud of and can attest to you standing your ground! That is never a fun situation.
I get a sinking feeling in my stomach when I something like that and they totally call my bluff. I'm like...aargh...you're supposed to eat the food so I don't have to say "no" to the snack. Come ON, work with me people!
Good for you! You stood your ground. Let me tell you, it works. I bet next time they remember and as miserable as it was for you, I bet it will be less miserable than having to do that over and over again.
I bet next time they eat all their dinner. I did this with my son and stuck to it, and it didn't take him long to learn. You HAVE to stick with what you tell your kids you are going to do.
It is very hard to do that but kudos to you for sticking to your guns!
Good night.
Dana
I dunno....kids can be awfully persistent. My money is on the kids next time. Sorry, Janelle!
Hooray for standing your ground, though!
The lesson was, "Listen to your mother, she mens what she says!" Which is a very very important lesson. They have to take us seriously now, or they won't when they're older. I saw your struggle, and I new the heartache you were having, and I was sorry you had to go through it. It's terribly hard to go against your kids, I know. Ideally, they will take you completely seriously from now on. Realistacly, they won't. I agree that it will probably be an easier battle from now on, but it will be a battle that will probably arise again. Just stand your ground every time, and they will learn to respect you. You are a wonderful mom!
i heard you make the "deal" with the kids and that is one thing I admire most about you, is your ability to stick with it. I knew right away that there would be no snacks at the pool.
I was glad my kids didn't do any of their regular asking...that would have made it worse for yours!
Awh.... this sounds so very familar. I laughed reading this, but I don't seem to be laughing when I am the one laying down the law! LOL!!
you go janelle! i think that would be one of the hardest parts of parenting. proud of you friend!
Thanks for sharing a difficult mommy time. It helps to remind me to stand my ground and not just give in because I'm tired. You are a great mom!
oh my goodness.....this sounds EXACTLY like conversations i've had.....only my munchkin just keeps using that reverse pysch stuff or something and will throw a little fit and then just starve until the next meal....and then the next day.....the whole thing is repeated again. You would think she'd learn....and I feel so mean, but I'm tired of her refusing meals only to ask for snacks or cookies three minutes later and whining cuz she's hungry. I'm so happy to hear that it's not just me being mean. *grin* Thanks!
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