Wednesday, September 6, 2006

Poor Nate, Part 2

Poor Nate didn't get any dinner last night. No, I didn't forget to feed him. The food was there, but he was not willing to meet my requirements for eating it. Lately, he's gotten bad about not sitting in his booster seat (throwing it to the floor instead) and hopping down from the table to wander during meals. He is just too short to eat without a booster because he drops food all over himself and can't even see into his bowl well enough to get a spoonful of food. Finally, I decided to lay down the law. At dinnertime he ran to the table, threw his booster on the floor, and sat in the chair. I told him no food until he sits in his booster. I gave him a lot of help and a lot of chances, but he would not do it. I put the food out of reach on the table hoping it would lure him to obey. It didn't. He went to bed without eating. I felt bad, but I know deep down that missing one meal is not deadly, and it is really important for him to learn how to sit at the table properly. I wondered what would happen this morning at breakfast. I called them to the table. Nate ran over, threw his booster seat in the floor, and sat in the chair. I was a little worried, but I stood firm. I put the plate out of reach and said no food until you sit in your booster. Then I sat down and started to eat my food. He looked at me. He looked down at the booster. He crawled off the chair, picked up the booster, placed it in the seat, and climbed up into it. I promptly gave him his food and a heaping dose of praise. We're on our way, folks.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool - it worked! Good for you for sticking to your guns!

Anonymous said...

That's not what a granna wants to hear, that her grandchild has gone to bed without food, but Little Natie has a touch of a stubborn streak and Mama seems to have found a way to nip this problem in the bud. You did good, and I know it was hard to have to do what you did. He wants to imitate Ava so much (has a touch of his Uncle Cord in him--imitating big brother) and I'm afraid it will be this way for a while. But you have recognized that he needs a firm hand and you will be rewarded with lots of respect down the road. I read one time that kids want you to be firm with them and give them rules and guidelines, otherwise they will feel they are floundering and have no sense of direction. Keep up the great work! love ya!