I tried the bribery technique today and reminded myself that IT DOESN’T WORK!

Normally I’m pretty laid back about food refusal from my kids, but every so often I think luck might be on my side and try some different methods to get them to eat a specific food.

For example, today my 4 1/2 year old had grapes (chopped up) on his plate which he just ignored. Now I can’t help thinking that:
1. They are so so juicy at the moment and
2. You used to love them!!
So I said to him ‘Are you going to eat your grapes Sam?’ And he replied ‘No, I don’t like them’.

I should have left it there but I continued ‘They’re so sweet they taste like sweets. Why don’t you try one?’ And he replied ‘No, I don’t like them’.

Then I went for it and said ‘Do you want ice cream? If you try a grape you can have some ice cream’ and he replied ‘No, I don’t like them. Can I have ice cream?’ Then I had to say ‘no you can’t because you haven’t tried a grape’.

The conversation went on a little longer along the same lines, he did not have any ice cream because I HAVE TO stick to my word and actually he ended up a little tearful.

So let me tell you (and myself) that in my experience bribery at meal times does not work and only creates a negative experience for you AND your child!

I don’t know how you would feel, but if someone told me I had to eat the pak choi on my plate before I could have some chocolate I’d be pretty upset about that. Not only am I being blackmailed into eating something I don’t like, I am having my choice taken away from me making me feel unimportant and probably a little silly.

So don’t fuss about the short term goal (trying a grape at that moment in time), instead focus on the long term goal of helping them make their own healthy choices by continuously exposing them to fresh food, home cooked meals and letting them CHOOSE what they eat from the plate of food offered.

Forget the bribery… enjoy meal times!

Kat x