Kissing Those Days Good-bye

"Ummmm, my son had three Hershey's Kisses for dinner last night, so I'm in no position to judge any of you," I blurted out at playgroup this morning.

Thinking I was just whipping out another one of my quippy one-liners, the other moms laughed, but the sad part is... It's true.

Other people used to marvel at my son's prowess with a fork and complemented me on what a "good eater" his was. Like I had anything to do with it. I just cooked something, put it on his plate, and he would eat it up, along with whatever was on my plate as well. It actually used to be that easy.

Phff! Are those days sooooo over...

Dinner is now the most difficult meal of the day, followed by lunch, then breakfast. It's not enough for him to push his plate away... Oh no! Apparently there must also be screaming of bloody murder, kicking, and bucking in his chair. Tears of agony and OMG, more screaming.

I've been told that this is "normal", but that doesn't make it any EASIER!

I've tried all kinds of cons to get him interested in his food again, from delicately cutting up fresh fruit for "smiley face" waffles to letting him "help" with the prep... (yep, that's us making banana bread together)

...to the downright sneaky.

Earlier this week, I made a deceptively delicious meal of meatloaf (with carrots) and mashed potatoes (and cauliflower), which he picked at, then quickly dismissed. My husband, however, LOVED it, so it wasn't a total wash.

Growing up, food was such psychological torture an issue in my family. It still is. My mother constantly hounds me about my weight, even going as far as offering ME a membership to Weight Watchers as an "anniversary present" for my husband and I...

umm, as if I'm not already painfully aware that I could lose a few...

Ironically, back when I was fit and working out all the time she used to nag me about being to skinny. She once called me frantic and worried because she thought my head was starting to be TOO BIG FOR MY BODY... All of my life, you just couldn't win with her!

For this reason and more, I try not to make an issue of it when my son refuses to eat. I offer him good stuff and simply respect his wishes when he declines. (The Hershey's Kisses were just shiny distractions so that WE could eat.)