Spinoff to dinners: How do YOU con your kids into eating? (Mini Momma Victory)

I've got myself a stubborn minded toddler. Its her way or the highway. I kind of respect that in her! hahaha So we have all sorts of 'games' we play to get her to do stuff. Dinner is always a mix mash of various techniques.

Wondering if you guys have any you can share.

Last night was rotisserie chicken with white rice, broccoli. She wanted strawberries and to lay out in the living room watching TV.

SciFi was on by accident (i had it on the night before) and "Dragon Wars" was on, I don't even KNOW this movie but I made a big deal about a dragon that was in the scene. "BIG dragon, grr" and she copied me. Next thing I know she's totally interested in it. At first commercial break was "moe dagon, momma, peez" well umm ok. I backed it up and let it replay while were finishing up dinner. She was so interested! (HUGE win for me since I love dragons)

I had her chicken cup up and cool, the rice served. I let her smell it (I know sounds like I'm treating her like an animal but she was distracted). Then picked her up and put her in her chair, put her food in front of her, said "OOOH yummy" she asked for crackers (of course) I say "Oh, of course, ok one sec, eat one of those first" then turned the TV back on (I paused it) so she's distracted, eating chicken. This goes on for awhile then a commercial break "OH juice, do you want juice" big production over getting juice. More dragons distraction (half way through the chicken), "Do you want a spoon" for the rice (I had a plan) thats how I got thru the next distraction then "More chicken AJ" for the next distraction, "More Juice" and then "Oranges?"

I got a full meal in her. Two servings of chicken, a small serving of rice, and mandarin oranges. Hubby thought I was Crazy for all the play acting and over the top importance to distract her between commercial breaks/back up and replay. But I got a FULL, yes FULL, meal into my 2.5yr old. All because she started off not paying attention to her food. By midway first serving, she knew she was eating chicken and was playing with us (as in not totally absorbed by TV). We all got to eat dinner together.

I feel like a GOD! Its a small victory and I'll take it!

Oh and thank heaven there were 3 back to back Dragon movies on SciFi. It gave us time to make dinner, serve her dinner, our dinner served and eaten, her washed up, milk sippy and to sleep with out a SINGLE cartoon character involved! yeah!

Re: Spinoff to dinners: How do YOU con your kids into eating? (Mini Momma Victory)

I told have a toddler yet.....but very well done!!!!!

Re: Spinoff to dinners: How do YOU con your kids into eating? (Mini Momma Victory)

DD has eaten many meals in front of the TV - sometimes that is the only way I can get her to eat!

We also bribe her with rewards such as ice pops, lollipops, cookies, etc...

hey, whatever works, right?