I know – the title does not make any sense whatsoever! But hang on, because this post is less about nutrition and more about getting creative and having fun at the table!
One of my blogger friends Jenna of KidAppeal is hosting her Big Words from Little Foodies Recipe Swap. It is an interesting project because it takes the focus away from feeding and nutrition to engagement and interaction with the kids and having fun. That is why the weird title because I want to share with you a recent mealtime experience I had with our twins.
My son is crazy about trains! He lives and breathes diesel engines. Sometimes I get a sense that he imagines himself to be a diesel engine! That is why the only sure way of capturing his attention (and imagination) is to talk to him about trains. These days, I try to spin a story about adventures of a diesel engine at the dinner table so he can stay seated for at least 15-20 minutes and try the food on the table.
Now, did you know that there are many different kinds of diesel engines? There is Santa Fe, Canadian National, CSX, Burlington Northern, Amtrak and Southern Pacific? Well, don’t feel too bad if you had no idea because I had no clue either before he got so fascinated with diesel trains. (Strictly speaking, these are the railroad companies who own the diesel engines. But to my son, the name belongs to the diesel engine because that is what he looks at in his train books and magazines).
Recently we had our Green Bean with Olive Oil, basmati rice, meatballs and salad on the table for us at dinner. TwinToddlersMom also had a few other options for the twins – spaghetti, cut cucumber, baked fish sticks, feta cheese and strawberries just in case. Some of these items are their favorites so we try to keep them handy. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does not!
Anyway, here is how our conversation went -
Me – Do you want to hear the story when Canadian National diesel became very hungry and his engineer got him some diesel food?
Son – YES, tell me the story baba!
Me – Well, you need to come to the table so we can have our dinner and listen to the story
It worked, because he was in his chair in no time, eagerly waiting for the story as he scanned the different options on the table.
Me – Ok. Canadian National diesel engine was a very strong engine. He was red, orange and yellow…
Son – no baba, Canadian National engine is red and white!
Me – Yes, that’s right! Anyway, he worked hard pulling his freight trains from city to city from Canada to the United States…
Daughter – No baba, only Amtrak goes city to city, not a freight train! (she tries to jump in to get her share of attention!)
Me – Yes, that’s right! Anyway, he worked hard pulling his freight trains from the docks to the city. He carried all kinds of stuff. He had hopper cars, tank cars, flat cars, box cars, gondola cars and a caboose. But one day, he got very hungry and his tummy started grumbling…
Son - you mean he lost all of his diesel gas?
Daughter - and his diesel energy?
By now, they were nibbling on a couple of cucumbers, bits of feta cheese and a meatball…green beans stayed untouched!
Me - Yes, that’s right! So he asked his engineer for some diesel food so he could get his diesel energy back. Do you want to get your diesel energy back?
This was clearly a ploy to get them to try some of the green beans, but it didn’t work! And I of course did not push. If they wanted to, they could always eat a few of those sitting on their plate.
Anyway, this went on for a while, when suddenly, out of the blue, my son announced -
I NEED TO GO POOP!
I know, I know – it does not sound very appetizing on the table and even somewhat of an anticlimactic ending to a silly, but otherwise engaging story! But I am sure every toddler parent has heard this announcement on the table at least a few times. The only way to deal with it is to laugh it off!
So I guess, that’s it. Call it funny, silly, hilarious, insane, nonsense! The real challenge is not getting them to eat the food, but to get them to pay attention. Stories help, so give them a shot.
What is your favorite story? What has worked for you? Please share in your comments.
And of course, make sure you visit Jenna’s blog for stories from other parents.
Enjoy!
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
too funny. with kiddos aged 3 and 5, I’d say that 90% of our dinners (and often lunch too) are interrupted by announcements for the loo. I’m eager for that phase to end! you made food relevant to the twins by teaching that they need to refuel. as you already know the green beans will come with time. given the locomotive analogy, you could tell a story where the engine needs his oil changed (allows for engine performance optimization), which you could parallel to vegetables (vitamins, minerals, antioxidants allows for body performance optimization). thanks for sharing your story!
thanks for sharing your funny story. we definitely need something to get Tommy to sit still. are A&A potty trained yet? we’re still fighting that battle.