The really frustrating thing about Gracie is that in the frenzied fifteen minutes leading up to dinner she adds to the pressure by whining incessantly about how hungry she is. You'd think she hadn't eaten all day.
When we finally do get to the table and put a plate of food in front of her she barely touches it. I have to force-feed her. And for the record, it's good food. AB can cook. It just doesn't make sense.
A dominant part of the conversation while we're at the table is directed at Gracie:
"No dessert if you don't eat your green beans."
"If you don't eat the food on your plate you CAN NOT be excused."
"Get back in your chair!"
"No TV if you don't eat your meat."
"BE CAREFUL!" (As mentioned in previous posts, Gracie knocks her cup over about four to five times per meal.)
And then the dreaded red button: "You're going to get a spanking if you don't eat you dinner."
I get so sick of it. I'm already tired when I get home from work. Coming inside to sit down and force supper down Gracie just gets the night off to a bad start. There has to be a better way.
As I write this, I wonder, perhaps Gracie likes the attention from me at dinner even if it's negative attention? Maybe.
We went round and round over keeping her mouth open when I brushed her teeth, too. Nothing like putting your kid to bed in tears after ramming a toothbrush in her mouth. Fortunately, she pulled it together in time for a bible story and a goodnight kiss. Otherwise, the whole night would have seemed like a waste.
Maybe a Book Will Help?
Went to Memphis today to help a client execute a Revocable Trust. On the way home I stopped in Barnes & Noble and found my way over to the Family section. I was surprised how small that section was. I guess there's not a large market for parenting and family books.
Funnily, I nearly reached for James Dobson's Bringing Up Boys just before I remembered I HAVE THREE GIRLS! I picked up Dobson's The New Dare to Discipline instead. I wonder if the book would have come in handy at dinner tonight? Maybe I'll get some good tips. Anybody out there have any advice?
