"And I'll just go for it."
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I had one of those experiences with Simon last night on our way to the swimming pool reminding me once again that he is just downright awesome.
Drive-through McDonald's is one of our things. We go through a pretty stable routine each time: ordering a Happy Meal for the toy (especially Kung Fu Panda toys - he and Chris saw the movie last weekend) and chicken nuggets; talking about the number one window + the number two window; choosing between OJ, chocolate milk, or the occasional Sierra Mist.
Let me step back a minute and preface this by saying we have been having some major food battles lately. I hate the word battle because that implies a winner and a loser...our goal is to get him to try something new at each meal and take one very small bite as a "no thank you" bite (along with getting some variety into his diet). Trust me, it has been one of the biggest challenges in our experience as parents.
Back to last night and the story at hand. I put in the regular order for a Happy Meal with chicken nuggets. After pulling out and heading down the road I hand the box back to him and he pulls out a cheeseburger. On past adventures this could have resulted in a major upset (or me simply turning around and going back to McDonald's to correct our order). I see the burger in the rearview mirror as I am checking the clock to see how much time we have to make it to the pool before the "sorry we are full" sign goes up. In the span of secondsI am wondering to myself which is going to be worse: not getting the expected chicken nuggets or not getting to swim?
But he didn't freak out.
"Hey, here's a hamburger," he said and started to pass it to me. No whining. No crying. No freaking out.
Somehow I managed to say, "How about trying that cheeseburger tonight?" I braced a bit as I waited for the issue to escalate.
He simply said, "Okay."
It was an "okay" in a super cheerful manner that demonstrated no indication of ever having issues with different foods. At that point I should have just pulled over and did the craziest celebration dance possible that he was even okay with the idea of opening the package let alone take a bite.
I tried super hard not to make a big deal about. "That sounds like a plan," I said as I peeked into the rear-view mirror to see if he was really going to actually for real take a bite. And he did. No big deal. No fanfare. No saying "this is gross." No protesting. Just a little nibble bite along the edge and then he set it back down on the plastic wrapper in his lap.
"Did you like it?" I asked?
"I did."
In my head I was freaking out. Holy cow this could be it. This could be the breakthrough we have been hoping for and working towards related to not making a huge deal out of trying a new food.
"Are you going to eat some more?"
"Yes. I like hamburgers."
We drove along and he munched on his french fries amidst telling me stories about the Higglytown Heroes episode he had been watching on the computer before leaving for the pool.
"Are you going to eat any more hamburger?" I asked as we continued on our way.
"Yes, I'll just go for it."
In reality he didn't even hit the meat, cheese, ketchup or anything except the bun.
But man, what a great start.
Go for it, Simon, go for it.
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173 comments
Oh congratulations!!
We say the goals in our house, the no-thank-you bite and I totally understand wanting to do a dance when it works!
Good for him and great for you!
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That is good news, Ali. You've got one to 'battle' with, we've got three and they all (dis)like something different. Oh well, I guess that's why we're all unique. Time will tell and time will learn and in 10 years time you wonder what all the big fuss was about.
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that is a great story. and a great triumph. and a great reminder for all of us. just go for it.
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What a cute story. I love that he said, "I'll just go for it." Where do kids come up with these things sometimes?!!!
I have 5 kids. When they tell me they know they don't like a certain food, I generally say, "try a bite today--maybe your tastes have changed." When they try to get by without eating something I've made, we do the one-bite or no-thank-you bite as well. Also, they are not allowed to say something is "gross" or that they "hate" something they are served. I've taught them that it's a lot easier on the cook if they say "I'm not fond of (a food they don't care for)".
I still have a couple of picky eaters in the family, but it's good to keep working on them, and meanwhile these little rules do help to keep me from being offended when I make a meal and they aren't thrilled with every item.
Good luck in fighting the good fight!
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That's wonderful, a dilema all parents go through - the battle of foods. Love the "go for it" comment. We have the try it bite rule in our household too. The rule also states, no saying "gross" or "yuk". You must say "this is not to my taste."
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What a huge accomplishment, not only for Simon but for you also. What a happy moment!
"I'll just go for it" We should all take Simon's lead, everyone has something we should just go for.
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OMG, that is so HUGE! congrats...sit back and replay that moment and enjoy enjoy!
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Celebrating with you!! Awesome :)
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I have 2 kids - three and four, and I tell you, getting them to try something new can be a real pain some days. There are still days when I say " you can't get off your highchairs till you polish off every single thing on your plate!" Mostly the reaction to that is lots of tears and whining! So I'm definitely right there celebrating with you! :)
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I'll just go for it. That is so awesome.
My 12 year old daughter was one of the pickiest eaters on the planet for such a long time. Just about 2 years ago she started trying more things and as a result she will eat just about anything I put in front of her. Right now her favorites are home made pico de gallo and guacamole, two things I never thought I'd see her eat. Just hang in there, Simon will continue to try new things and broaden his eating horizons.
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Oh Ali - that is the coolest story - am currently battling with my 21 year old (intellectually handicapped) about what it is appropriate to do at 11 o'clock at night (yes I know I also sometimes feel the need to complete craft projects late into the night, but am working fulltime and NEED her to go to bed at a reasonable hour!). So I am sending you and Simon my absolutely heartfelt congratualtions. Well done to all of you!
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I understand that with children that have challenges of one kind or another (in our house it is anaphylactic food allergies, when you eat something and it makes you violently ill and you have to go to the hospital in an ambulance, it makes trying new foods a scary thing), food is a battle we don't really want to have.
They have to eat, and we want them to be healthy, but it is never ending. Congrats on a really great day for you and Simon.
*claps her hands*
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ROCK ON Simon!! You go for it. Congrats Ali :-)
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I loved your story and your photo. You are a wonderful Mother and Simon is fortunate to have you. My husband and I are taking my 10-year-old grandson on a driving trip in our motorhome across the US next week. I sent choices for the menu several weeks ago so that he had an opportunity to have a say in what we eat. I know he likes to eat "finger-food" so some of our meals (even dinner) will have finger-food choices included.
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I'm not sure why, but the story of you and yours son made my heart knot up in my chest, and I really FELT something. Something good! Something happy! It's so rare to get that feeling from strangers, that I'm utterly floored by your story-telling skills.
Please never stop telling your stories.
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A big congrats to you, Chris and SIMON!!! I'm jumping and down celebrating with you! "I'll just go for it" - wouldn't that be cool if we all took that as our motto to live life? I love it! Again, congrats on the big and huge accomplishment :) xoxo Jenny
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what a thrill and breakthrough!!!! i had/have the same issues (he's 17 now) but he actually on his OWN got bored w/his diet, plus seeing his peers eat diff. food always help as well. There is hope for the future!!!!
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Oh wow! This just gives me chills! Excellent, Simon, just excellent! And darn good parenting, too. :)
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I can totally relate! We have struggle over the years for some variety. He has told us for years, "When I'm 10, I'll eat everything." Now at 8.5, he is really starting to expand his choices beyond the typical 6 things he ate before. I cried the first REAL meal we all ate together with no special orders. I credit the nutrition unit at school for the expansion in food choices...wanting to be healthy.
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That is awesome news! Great work Simon! I wish my little boy was as adventurous with his food. Thanks for sharing such a happy moment!!
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