Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Choosing your Battles

A key to limiting the stress of parenting is to choose your battles carefully. At times I let my kids get away with things only because I have decided that the issue at hand is not worth the battle.

As a parent, you need to choose your battles carefully.

Last night I threw a pizza in the oven while I changed into my soccer uniform. As I was putting on my socks, Madigan (17 months old) emptied a grocery bag that hubby had left at the stairs.

Mags was hungry, she rummaged through the bag and found something to her liking and brought it to me.

When she presented the item to me I laughed, it was heavy and my little princess had lugged it over to me hoping I would give her a before-dinner snack. I told her no. She protested. I laughed and told her that she does not want the item in the bag, instead, she should wait for the yummy pizza. She protested a little louder and a bit more forceful. Again, I told her dinner was coming and that she would not like what was in the bag. I pointed to the picture on the bag and told her the contents were yucky-yucky.

She clutched the 1.3 kg bag and screeched like a healthy, frustrated, stubborn 17 month old. I tried to take the bag away from her, but she swatted my hand and pointed at it and yelled, "EAT". I told her no, pizza was coming.

Madigan then tried to pick open the seal of the bag. I reached over and took away the bag, placing it high on the counter. Madigan threw a temper tantrum that would make any 2 year old proud!

I laughed and reminded her that the bag she had chosen was not for her: pizza was for her. I let her look into the oven where the pizza was cooking. Madigan pulled away and stood near the treat she wanted. Crying, screeching, yelling and pointing at the now highly prized treat.

I decided that this battle was not worth the fight.

I walked over and took the bag, opened it up and gave her one little piece.

I told her, "Yucky, not good for Madigan, give it to Cleo". Madigan protested and then put the piece into her mouth.

When I asked her if it was good and if it is what she wanted, she nodded yes, with a big smile. She had won!

Then she pointed to the bag and asked for more. She grunted and yelped when I walked away to turn off the oven as the pizza was now done.

I confirmed she wanted more and then took a small plastic bowl and placed 4 little pieces into the bowl.

I took out the pizza out of the oven, informed my hubby that I was leaving for soccer and that the pizza was ready and that Madigan was sitting quietly in the kitchen eating her snack of cat food.

And then left.

Yep. I let my daughter eat cat food for dinner.

Some battles are just not worth it.

13 comments:

Kat said...

HAHAHA!!! Good for you!

AutoSysGene said...

LOL! I was thinking it was going to be dog bones...I probably would have done the same...

I think I'll stick with pizza, thanks!

Tara R. said...

It's such a good thing you blogged about this so when she's 17yo and not 17mons, you can tell any potential boyfriend she enjoys a nice bowl of Meow Mix as a snack.

Too funny!

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Hee hee hee. Good for you, too funny.

Pregnantly Plump said...

how funny! It's amazing how determined they can be once they get something in their minds, huh? Little Elvis is the same way over lotion. (That's only because he hasn't found the cat food yet!)

Forgetfulone said...

That is so funny! Those battles get tougher when you're dealing with a 19 year old step-daughter. I'm struggling with picking my battles right now.

I can't believe she ate cat food! Great post.

Jules said...

Love it. I would have done exactly the same thing! LOL
So what did your husband say?

4funboys said...

good for you... I wish more parents did that!

Aunt Julie said...

That's one determined little girl. When my youngest was that age, she used to toddle over the the fridge, open it, and pull down a tupperware that looked good. Sometimes it was cold pasta, sometimes blueberries. Sometimes, she'd have blue diapers for a week! :) BTW, don't forget the Great Pop'rs Giveaway! The more you comment, the better chance you have of winning--Check it out!

L said...

Aahahhahaha I love it!

Life As I Know It said...

My sister used to eat cat food when she was little - and she turned out fine ;)

Definitely - it's all about choosing your battles

Kellan said...

Oh, what a funny story!! I don't think I'd tell all the other ladies on the soccor team, but so glad you shared this precious story with us!

Have a good evening - Kellan

Laski said...

Is her coat nice and shiny now??? As long as she doesn't start purring (well, that might OK), scratching the furniture or climbing up trees, she should be fine.

J at dirt for the first time. Dirt, grass and who knows what. I asked if it was yummy and he gave me a crooked tooth grin . . . just like his father.