Show Mommy how a Jedi eats

After the last few weeks, I completely understand why parents just give up and let their kids do whatever they want. For the split second that I let the fantasy of it cross my mind, it made perfect sense.

It's genius. No more fights!

Then my kid hit me in the head with a green bean and knocked some sense into me.

I'm fortunate to have kids that are not picky eaters. They've got their likes and dislikes, the sum of which takes up most of my brain and is why I often leave the house wearing mismatched flip flops and can't immediately recall how old I am.

I may not be able to string a coherent sentence together but damnit if I do know that my daughter doesn't like zucchini, sweet potatoes, or tomatoes, but she'll eat tomato sauce and ketchup. And my son doesn't like cheese. Unless it's on pizza.

But since they don't have any allergies or sensory issues, I know that I can push them a bit when it comes to trying new things and eating a certain amount of what I put in front of them.

This, along with the fact that I refuse to make more than one dinner for everyone, also means that I have to contend with a fair amount of mealtime battles, particularly from my three-year-old (surprise!), who, other than cheese, inconsistently likes and dislikes everything I put in front of him.

And after wearing out the highly played out "loss of dessert" threats, and all the things that parents do to try to get their kids to eat, you know, "You're not getting anything else to eat for the whole night and you'll eat it cold AND FOR BREAKFAST DAMNIT!" I just rolled up my sleeves and got creative. 

So upon refusing the extremely tasty quinoa fried rice that he had soooooo eagerly eaten the night before, I brought out the big guns, or lightsabers actually, with Star Wars, his new obsession.

"Do you remember the part in the movie with Luke is eating with his Aunt and Uncle?" I asked him (which, coincidentally, I have always wondered what in God's name they are eating that requires such huge spoons).

I continued. "Well, it's this. Right here. It's Jedi food. You know, it's how he got his powers."

And before I knew it, the entire bowl was gone.

BOOYAH.

Last night I served green and white cauliflower, which is something we've eaten before with varying levels of cheers and jeers from the under-4 crowd, and he flipped out.

"I don't like the white ones!" he cried, pushing away his bowl.

"Okay," I said. "But keep in mind, these vegetables are how the Jedis get their speed. See how they're shaped like an arrow?"

I ate one. Then whipped around the kitchen.

"SEE!"

He instantly tried them, explaining what power each one gave him.

I played along, pretending to freeze when he pointed at me.

Then I really stepped it up.

"The white ones are what helps the Jedis overpower the Storm Troopers!"

He fought me for them. And then asked for another bowl.

Now if only I can get it work at bedtime.

Unfortunately, he's just not yet concerned about "deactivating the forcefield" everytime he leaves his room.

Maybe he just needs to hear it from Obi Wan Kenobi himself.

Yes, apparently desperation looks like a tall Asian dressed up as Alec Guiness.

I'll let you know if it works.

Comments

[Shannon]

I'm a little late to this post, but did you know there are Star Wars cook books? And cookie cutters that you can use to shape sandwiches like Yoda and Vader? My son's older now, but we used these "Jedi Mind Tricks" regularly in the past. :-)

[Megan]

I wish you luck! If your kids are anything like me, you'll need it!

Ha ha, just sent this to my Mom and she replied "She sure is lucky she doesn't have picky eaters. I gave up on trying to get your brother to try new foods over a decade ago! At least I've managed to get you to try some new things. I almost cried when you tried stuffing for the 1st time this past Thanksgiving! It only took you 20 years!!!"

[julie @ Mommy Said What?]

Genius.

[Rocat]

A wise one you are, oh Master.
And funny as hell!

[The New Girl]

May The Force be with you.

[Angela@beggingtheanswer]

I hope this works when my kids are older. As it is, the only thing 3-year-old likes as of now are kitties and princesses. Cats are notoriously picky eaters, and I'm pretty sure all those princesses are borderline anorexic. Not the best of dinnertime role-models.

[Lora]

Please post a picture of you as Obi Wan.

Unfortunately, despite my son's obsession with Star Wars, your excellent stories to get yours to eat things won't work on him - he's too old. Dang it!

[Theresa]

LOVE IT! Our forks have been making the sounds of light sabers for a few weeks now.

[Sarah]

Ok, you know I've been following your tweets all week on this...love the full post finally. I followed your lead because my 4yo and 3yo boys are fully into SW right now - yes down to Yoda and Darth for Halloween. And this totally worked for me too! I was so incredibly exhausted with the "how many more bites" negotiating, and although I don't freak out about my kids eating - overall they do well, I am terrified of being trapped into a dessert every night no matter what. Broccoli incidently is how Yoda recharges his lightning powered fingers in Attack of the Clones. :)))))

[Sarah]

I have one of those kids, a two year old girl. Everytime I want her to eat it's "Mission Time" and we become Animal Mechanicals.

You probably have no idea what I'm talking about since it's a Canadian kids TV show...but the premise is the same - we're on a mission to eat out food! So fun :)

[Kristy]

You are amazing and must have the powers of the universe on your side to think of these things.

[JRMorber]

My book rec is "How to get your kids to eat, but not too much" I'm reading it now. Because my kid is two. It's fabulous, and freeing.

[Julie]

It is pointless to resist. But then, the threat of no dessert still works at our table. Kinda.

[VDog]

BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA "Yes, apparently desperation looks like a tall Asian dressed up as Alec Guiness."

LMAO girl. LMAO.

[Supa Dupa Fresh]

You need the best book ever: Coping with a picky eater. It's NOT just for picky eaters.

(I'm only suggesting it because my kid doesn't like Star Wars yet).

[ClumberKim]

I almost ready to let Oliver see Star Wars if it means he will eat his vegetables.

[Melissa]

@ Jamie - that's exactly what I ws thinking! "Show me how the piggies eat!"

[KMayer]

Girl, you got the power. Keep these handy tips in mind when your fam in immersed in teen years. My mother told us if we wanted big boobs,eat the veggies. I ate and ate and ate. NOTHING. Little sisters ignored; STACKED. damn.

[Jamie Bowden]

"A Christmas Story" Love it.