battle of the broccoli

If I like it, it's mine

If it's near me, it's mine

If it's broccoli, it's yours.

modified Toddler Laws, by jenhansoniowa

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Raise your hand if you like broccoli!

"I do, I do!" {{waving wildly!!}}

I've always loved vegetables. As a kid, I reportedly sat on the kitchen table, with my little index finger curled into a little hook, scooping up left-over veggies into my mouth.

Unfortunately, my boys have not inherited the same zeal and zest for veggies that I possess.

Sure, when they were babies, and did not know any better, they liked vegetables. But I've been noticing a trend: the older they get, the pickier they get.

A few months ago, I began to notice that my once-stellar-veggie-eater-Ollie was not eating his veggies anymore.

Not one.

And under the baby haze of Twain, I didn't/couldn't deal with his boycotts.

I remember one night very clearly though. It was a busy night, as we were getting ready for both AWANA and small group. We told Ollie that he had to eat one piece of broccoli, and then he could have the rest of his dinner.

And Ollie{being the very stubborn child that he is} refused to comply with our wishes.

John and I decided it was time to put our foot down. He really needed to eat one vegetable. But he simply refused.

But John can out stubborn his stubborn son. This stubborn-ness runs deep in their Swedish veins, I hear.

So, it became the battle of the broccoli. Ollie decided he'd rather skip dinner than eat his meager little broccoli. So we packed him up{with broccoli} and dropped him off at Grandma's house.

I think an hour or 2 later, Grandma Betty{also stubborn, but in a good way} finally got him to nibble on his broccoli.

Over the next few weeks, John and I fully waged war against this broccoli battle.

I know of some people who sneak chopped veggies into rice, which I think is ingenious. And I've tried it, and it works.

However, it's not always feasible. And I don't always have rice on hand. At some point, my boys must face their veggies and eat them, even if they are yucky.

So, here is something we try to do, and I've heard it works well for other families too:

Serve the veggies first.

Call it an appetizer.

But they must eat them to earn the rest of their dinner.

And for the most part, it has been working well--Ollie is eating veggies again!!!

I recently started implementing this at lunch too:

Those yellow{and red} cherry tomatoes are delicious.

Little evidences of broccoli on his lips.

Even Tweetle was enjoying his veggie appetizers.

As I sat and watched Ollie cheerfully gobbling his veggies, I wanted to cry with sheer joy. I was just about to cheer and declare victory over our battle of the veggies...

"Here Ollie eat just one more piece of broccoli and you can have your sandwich!", I said encouragingly.

I don't know why I didn't leave well enough alone.

But he glared at that lone piece of broccoli and with all the defiance he could muster he screamed,

"Noooooo!"

And the battle line was re-drawn.

My heart sank. By now I was kicking myself.

But his little tone was so defiant I could not ignore it.

All in one second these thoughts simultaneously swirled in my head

• Was I being unreasonable? He did just eat most of the veggies.
• Was I pushing too far and making him hate veggies?
• Or if I gave in, was I setting a horrible precedence that obedience was optional?
• Would he learn to call my bluff in the future?

Sometimes I really don't know what to do.

But, I realized, this was not about broccoli. Nor was it about eating healthy or not healthy.

This was a battle over the heart and obedience of my child--something we have been struggling with lately and trying to work on.

Even though I was not in the mood to hear the screams and tantrums, one thing was sure. Ollie was worth going to battle for.

I decided to compromise a smidge and cut his piece of broccoli in half. Or in fourths. Whatever.

I once again told Ollie to eat his broccoli and this is what ensued.

Real tears. Over this. Fer crying out loud in bucket.

Oh that stubborn Ollie.

This went on for quite a bit and Ollie had to sit on his bed til he calmed down.

I prayed that I was doing the right thing... and that I could stand firm with this one. I tend to have weak resolve with my children and their eating habits. The thought of Ollie skipping lunch over broccoli was very distressing.

Back at the table, Ollie finally gave in. He ate the broccoli.

I served him the rest of his lunch.



Whew. WHAT a battle.

Clearing our plates after lunch, like a big boy.

And yes, my table looks like a war zone.

As do my counters.

And if I turn my back for a second, Tweetle is into mischief. Who does he think he is?

Last night they gobbled my steamed broccoli like it was candy. I smiled happily and did a cheer,

B-R-O-C-C-O-L-I, go-oooo Broccoli!

Ok, I did not really do the cheer, but am ridiculous enough to do it. Don't put it past me.

It was a small victory in the grand scheme of things, but one that I will not take for granted. It cost a lot of tears.