There Is No Such Thing As Defeat

Mealtimes have been...rough....around our house lately. For the last two weeks we spend our meals physically forcing Little Big to use his silverware, even with finger foods. I'm taking extended lunch breaks and going over to work with him during lunch at school. We are trying very hard to not let things slip, to keep a solid, united message for Little Bug.

Fork + spoon = food. Fingers = no food.

Of course, then you have nights like tonight.

Appa was off having a fancy sushi dinner, and Little Bug was hell bent on not being bested for dinner. No problem...I sighed a big sigh and then situated myself for battle. I've got this dance down to a step.

Except tonight, he owned me.

Even though it was all easy-to-scoop food, he refused to use his silverware. I know some people are of the mindset that you just have your child skip a meal to prove your point, but my 2-year-old kid has 8 therapy sessions a week and expends more energy than most kids simply by performing basic tasks like walking or holding a sippy cup; skipping a meal like dinner is just not an option for him right now. So, after 30 minutes with little more than a couple grains of rice in his belly and a whole lot of ornery in his face, I gave up.

I went into the kitchen and let him think he was pulling a fast one over on me by eating with his hands as fast as he could. (Or rather, I tried to preserve what was left of my pride.) However, he was eating. Indeed, the kid even asked for seconds. As I stood there in the kitchen, I felt defeated.

Then Little Bug caught my attention with a this new word he loves to happily chant "mapabadada." I looked over just in time to see him pick up that blasted fork, manage to scoop a small bite, and expertly place it in his mouth. Then he twisted his neck around to make eye contact with me and clapped.

Of course, he went back to eating with his hands, but it reminded me that life isn't always a battle, even though it feels like it so often at our home. We're not fighting against Little Bug and he isn't fighting against us. All three of us are simply helping each other grow and learn to be the best we can be.

And some nights, the only way to do that is with a full stomach and getting your hands dirty.