Milkbank Blog
The Chicken Dance
No, it’s not what you are thinking. There was no flapping of arms or rythmic clapping of hands after one too many cocktails at some wedding. No. this was me, doing what it takes to get my son to try new foods.
My pre-schooler puts the picky in picky eater. At his four year well check I explained to his pediatrician that he was still only eating a handful of foods, despite a different doctor’s insistance the previous year that he would grow out of it. She looked him up and down and clucked, oh, he’s one of those kids. Apparently that is a new diagnosis I was not aware of.
I’ve made peace with the fact that he will probably not touch a juicy hamburger or peanut butter with you know, peanuts in it until sometime into adulthood. I admit I grew up eating buttered noodles and not much else for most of my childhood and I’ve managed to turn out alright so while I don’t stress about his refusal to eat more than grilled cheese sandwiches and yogurt, I still try regularly to offer him chances to try new things.
The other night I noticed him watching as I dug into some beautifully grilled chicken my husband prepared. Want to try it? I asked. No thank you, he responded. As usual.
If you try this, I said cutting off the smallest little piece I could still hold on my fork, I will clap and jump up and down and then I will run around the back yard in a circle. I didn’t think he’d go for it, but what the heck? Why not put it out there. He attempted to negotiate, saying that if he ate the food on his plate I should do it, but I held firm. Nope, I answered, making happy noises as I ate my dinner. You have to try this chicken.
Then I heard, alright fine! I couldn’t believe it but he was really going to do it. I provided him the teensy bite, he thought about it and explained I LIKE IT!
I dropped my fork, jumped up and down, hooted and hollered and took off for my promised lap around the back yard.
I’m sure I looked ridiculous and my neighbors were probably wondering what was going on, but hey, I don’t care. He ate chicken. CHICKEN!
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