Notes From Jon

Mealtimes at the Parks home have gotten significantly crazier in the last couple of years.  As the girls have grown older and are no longer strapped in to their seats, and as they have learned how to express their culinary likes and dislikes, dinner is more chaotic and unpredictable than ever before.

One thing is predictable, however.  Each day, we can count on the struggle over what will be eaten, and how much of it.  You see, for my daughters, mealtimes are a means to an end – all that chicken, rice, veggies, bread, fruit… all that’s just an appetizer for the main course:  DESSERT.  And the question is nearly always raised:  Just how much do I have to eat before I get a dessert?

The typical conversation goes something like this:

“Mama, can I have a treat now?”

“No, not yet.  You still have to eat your carrots.”

“ALL my carrots?”

“Yes, all your carrots.”

Then they’ll piddle around and play, and then two or three minutes later, you hear again,

“Mama, can I have a treat now?”

“Have you eaten your carrots?”

“ALL my carrots?”

“Yes ALL your carrots.”

And on and on and on it goes until the realization finally sinks in – “I’m not going to get the good stuff unless I eat what they’re telling me to eat.” Read the rest of this entry »