Unsinkable

So, we've been playing a familiar scene around our house lately.  Or, rather, Charles and Rose are.   "Battle of the Wills at the Dinner Table: Parts I, II, III, etc."  

The other night Charles takes a stance that I can't support (and I tell him quietly as I see him painting himself into a corner).  Namely, that Rose must try her mashed potatoes.  Now, don't get me wrong.  It is entirely ridiculous that she would NOT like mashed potatoes, as she LOVES every other conceivable kind of potato.  However, I was a kid with an iron will about food, and as the Picky Eating Champion of the World from 1977-1990, I can pretty much tell you that the way to get kids to expand their culinary horizons is NOT the tried-and-true "you'll sit there until you eat it" stance that many parents (including my dear husband) take.

I also have fond memories of Dillon "the-vegetarian-who-doesn't-eat-vegetables" Collins during the years he was two through four, so I am pretty sure Rose will just grow out of it.  

So I excuse myself, 'cause I sure as heck am not going to sit there for hours and watch Rose not eat her food.  And I start the dishes and watch the scene play out at a distance.

Charles: Try it, you'll like mashed potatoes.

Rose: No.

Charles: Just like boiled potatoes and french fries, your favorite!

Rose: No.

Charles: (going over the edge) You are going to try this because I am the daddy and I say so!

Rose: I'm the daddy.

Charles: ?

Rose: I'm the daddy.

Charles: No, I'M the daddy.  You're the baby.

Rose: I'm the daddy.

This goes on for a few more minutes which Dillon and I think are seriously hilarious, before Charles pokes a fingerfull or mashed potatoes into Rose's cheek and calls it a night. 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 at 10:14 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.