"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
Yea, Simon. And a big hurrah for you and Chris. Totally neat moment.
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It sounds like you and your husband are patient and thoughtful with your parenting of Simon...each and every milestone is a pat on the back to both of you for your love and dedication. I am happy for you and Simon. Isn't it funny the things we celebrate as parents! No matter what the challanges a child poses we find ourselves celebrating the littlest things and this is life...the real, honest, happy life! Way to go Simon...and Way to go Mom!!!
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Hey Ali,
Savor those little "victories". Those are the times where you tell yourself that you're doing a pretty good job at this parenting thing!!
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GO, Simon, GO! :) You're such a natural storyteller- COOL moment to have in words. Here's to moving to the actual burger next time! :)
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Yeah, Simon! Way to go! That is SO huge, Ali!
We had issues with McDonald's for years. So much so, we now call them SAD meals - instead of Happy Meals.
There's almost always crying in each and every box! Not the toy I wanted, it's the one I already have...or I didn't get barbecue with my nuggets, or I got 3 nuggets instead of 4, or a hamburger instead of a cheeseburger. You get the idea...
My boys are starting to order off the regular menu...but I still feel a little tension every time I pull up to that drive-thru!
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GOOSEBUMPS!!! Congrats Edwards Family on such a huge milestone!!! GO SIMON!! You ROCK with your AWESOME-NESS!
Cheers!
Abby
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Ali,
We have two boys; one that eats almost anything and one that exists on dairy, fruit and air. Having said that, we have always made them take a "polite bite" because you can never be too sure if that little bite becomes your favorite food. Our eater has found many foods that he loves this way. Our air-eater, yeah, not there yet. Way to Go SIMON!!!
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Oh, I know that happy dance feeling, and having to play it cool. Big step forward, maybe two steps back next time, but he will remember. We just had a similar deal with my 8 yo - mean mommy made her try one measly bite of BROWN rice...and then we read Green Eggs and Ham.
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What a cool day for you and Simon. Even though we don't have near the struggle to deal with that you do, I can relate to your experience about knowing there is a battle ahead and bracing yourself for a backlash, lol. It's so nice when they surprise you, isn't it? Huge congrats to Simon and looking forward to hearing how the food thing continues...
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WOO HOO ... Go Simon! Congrats!!
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What a HAPPY MOMENT! I have a picky eater too, but seeing her sister eat most kinds of food makes her explore. I used to tell her she can't leave the table until she's done but it stresses both of us, so now I don't sweat it. They will come around and eat. Now she's eating the food she doesn't even want to taste before. :-)
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What a wonderful story, my little one is the opposite she eats the burger and leaves the bun. Children really are priceless.
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What an awesome story. I am sure you're heart was throbbing at the time and I really appreciate how you kept being calm for Simon's sake... I guess you're approach to life that resonate throughout your blog and books is getting to him. You are setting a great example for him !!!
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That's so great! Go Simon!
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Awesome! I have four children and they have all gone through stages of picky eating. My eight year old son Jack, who is clearly healthy (thank God!) eats very few different things. Still, my 17 year old likes many, many things now and will try everything so my experience is they grow out of it. I really believe for mine, it's a sensory issue - they are all people who feel sock bumps and hate tags. I think they just experience sensory input very intensely. Over time I think this fade, and they have enough positive experiences that they can anticipate positive surprises.
I also think that our weaknesses are often connected to our strengths - my children are exceptionally aware of beauty, music, the smells of places. I see art in their future, and I hope they always experience the world so fully.
You're patience is wonderful Ali. Thanks for sharing such a vulnerable moment of heroic and everyday parenting with us.
Susan
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What a proud Mommy moment, Ali! Glad you wrote it down to remember the details. Way to go Simon. I bet it feels really good to take such a HUGE step. Thanks for sharing.
Joy
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How wonderful is that! My son is very fussy eater and loves his routines... so I know what a HUGE event that little moment was. Way to go Simon, congrats Ali :-) Just a word: remember progress sometimes is a series of small steps and an occasional step back, which is not an indication of backsliding... but of just how huge the task is :-)
Anne
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Awesome! I have four children and they have all gone through stages of picky eating. My eight year old son Jack, who is clearly healthy (thank God!) eats very few different things. Still, my 17 year old likes many, many things now and will try everything so my experience is they grow out of it. I really believe for mine, it's a sensory issue - they are all people who feel sock bumps and hate tags. I think they just experience sensory input very intensely. Over time I think this fade, and they have enough positive experiences that they can anticipate positive surprises.
I also think that our weaknesses are often connected to our strengths - my children are exceptionally aware of beauty, music, the smells of places. I see art in their future, and I hope they always experience the world so fully.
You're patience is wonderful Ali. Thanks for sharing such a vulnerable moment of heroic and everyday parenting with us.
Susan
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Children amaze me. Their thought process, their love, it's just downright awesome! I feel blessed that even through my four year olds cancer treatment, she still ROCKS! May these memories and milestones continue to suprise you. :)
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That is just the best thing. I got teary just reading it. Go for it Simon, just go for it!
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