My Take on Reverse Psychology with Picky Eater Kids
Getting your kids to eat something other than pasta or pizza – its right up there with shopping for mens clothing for yourself – you don’t always want to do it, but every once in awhile it needs to be done.
Why, you ask?
If its hot chocolate, she'll try it.
Those of you with picky kids will know… it is a struggle… every night the same old story… try it… I don’t want to… just try it… I don’t want to… one bite… no!
If this sounds like you and your kids, you are not alone. I’m with ya… and I’ll share with you a little trick I tried with my 5-year-old son Smarty Pants last night that worked really well.
So, my dear wife made potato soup, and swiftly left the house as soon as dinner was served. All alone, I was left to fend for myself, with two children frowning at the bowls of soup set before them. I knew I had to come up with an approach… and fast.
It started with the usual: “I don’t want this”… “Just try it” ping-pong… but… then I threw in a curve ball. (Is it possible to throw a curve ball in ping-pong?)
Anyway… it went a little something like this:
Me: “Don’t eat it!”
Smarty Pants: (giggles… a little taken aback)
Me: “It tastes really good, so you shouldn’t eat it”
Smarty Pants: (still looking confused, surprised, and giggling).
Me: “If you eat it, you are going to like it, and then we are going to have to make it all the time for you, and that is too much work. So it is better that you don’t try it.”
Smarty Pants: “But are you going to eat yours?”
Me: “Yes”
Smarty Pants: “Then I am going to eat mine.”
Me: “No, don’t… you are going to like it and then we are going to have to make it all the time, and we don’t want that.”
Smarty Pants: “I am going to try it.”
Me: “Okay.”
And he tried it, and he liked it. Hurrah!
Mind you, Smarty Pants is a little more apt to try things by nature, so I can’t guarantee this technique will work with all kids (it only kinda worked with my daughter, who NEVER wants to try anything… she tried it, but then broke into tears as soon as the soup hit her tongue).
In any case… it was kinda fun, and it made him laugh, so try it yourself and see how it goes! (Actually… don’t try it… the technique is too good, and then you are going to have to use it all the time, and ask me for more tips… so please don’t try it!)
Till next time, happy parenting, and leave a comment to let me know what you think!
Cheers.
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What a great idea. I definitely have to try this with my son who is somewhat picky when it comes to trying new things.
Diane´s last blog ..Quick And Easy Breakfast Ideas
Thanks Diane, I hope it works for you!
Making kids eat the right food is a real tough job. There used to be my friend who used to cook nutritious food everyday but her daughter always used to insist on eating Maggi noodles. Poor thing! What the mother could do is give Maggi than to see her kid starving.
Rodrigo Valenzuela´s last blog ..Como (y de qué) hablar a un hombre
The problem is the little beggars catch on after awhile and it doesn’t work anymore! But I must say, I have used your technique time and time again, not only with food, but trying on new clothes, going to the dentist( you will get a toy!) and so on. Overall success rate about 50% – much better than 0%!
Susan´s last blog ..Where To Find The Best Double Jogging Stroller
That is a great use of reverse psychology. Parents have to be an ace to get one step ahead of all the smarty pants
Absolutely Farrukh!