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It was one carrot. The hour long battle that ensued was because I asked her to finish two carrots on her plate. (Not all three, by the way. I was trying to give her the satisfaction of leaving one on her plate).
She ate one after a stern talking to from Daddy. But that second one sat on her fork. She obstinately refused to eat it while the rest of us were excused from the table. She stubbornly sat there as I washed the dinner dishes. She whined through my baking muffins for the next day’s breakfast.
And still that one carrot sat on her fork.
I asked her nicely to try a bit. She said no. I told her there would be punishments. She shook her head. I gave up and went back to what I was doing. She crossed her arms.
After I was finished in the kitchen, I repeated my request. She said she didn’t want to eat it. So I let her down from the table.
Some might call this a parenting failure. But I choose to see it differently. Instead of losing a battle with a strong-willed child, I see that I am teaching her perseverance. Instead of teaching her that Mommy will give in to her if she waits long enough, I’m showing her that she can push for what she wants.
And isn’t that a valuable lesson too? She is a strong, independent girl. She has opinions, and she is free to express them.
Will I always let her get out of eating her vegetables? No, certainly not. But when I can teach her lessons that empower her as well, I am okay with changing my mind.
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