Froggy

Dear Little Miss,

I don’t know what to do? I think I have made a big mistake. To get you and B to eat up all your dinner I have inadvertently caused a big problem. The bribes that I have used, are it seems, not the right thing to do at all. The treats that have been given when clean plates are presented to me at the end of a meal are wrong, very wrong. 

I became aware of this problem when I heard other mothers talking about plates of fruit at the end of the meal. Gosh I thought, that sounds fantastic, but you and B wouldn't have it. No. The treat boxes must appear. Boxes of goodies. A box each with a choice inside. B prefers the boiled hard sugar lolly type treat. These are small, and I tell myself and he works hard for it. Many a piece of green veg has disappeared without any fuss, because of that treat box. 

But Little Miss you are a different kettle of fish. At two, I know you know what's going on, but you like to test the water anyway, just to see. To see if I am made of the tough Mum stuff or the soft Mum stuff.

Your defiance not to eat your meal had to be met with,
"No treat for you."

The stand off lasted 30 minutes. The crying and screaming was tremendous. But I am proud that I stood my ground. Tough Mum was determined. The treat box rules where not broken. To get a treat you must eat your dinner. 

The tantrum reached its peak when B received his treat box. We tried not to rub it in your face and he was allowed to eat his lolly on the couch. But you kept pushing your plate away. I would repeat my words over and over again returning your plate to you.


 
"To get a treat you need to eat your dinner."
"Chocolate foggy" you would say with tears.
"Yes, when you eat your dinner."
 
I waivered and nearly gave in, not sure if the concept was just too much for your two year old brain. Soft Mum tried to make a stand.

Did you really understand?

Dad was called in for back-up. Unfortunately we lost more time when there was a few accusations about giving in that we apparently had to discuss, but as a united front we succeeded. 

Once Daddy told you the same message you knew there was no other options or ways about getting a chocolate foggy.

So you got to it and ate your dinner.

There was much praise and relief that night.
 
I was very proud of you, that you understood what you had to do. I was proud of your Dad and I, we stood our ground and enforced the rule. United in our mission we all reached our goal.

"There's a chocolate foggy in my Tummy," you stated once the frog was consumed. 

But on reflection this is all so wrong. Why do I have this monkey on my back now? The wars of the treat box seem to have really been won by the children, because the treats are there for them.

The Treat box will have to get a bit boring. Fruit based treats might creep in and take over the sugar supremacy. My guilt about feeding a two year old chocolate could get me shopping for carob - of all the things. 

At the end of the day I have to weigh up the benefits of a green bean (happy mother) against the damage of a chocolate frog (happy child).

Love from your confused Mother
xxx