Five and fussy: The poem

Last week, Isabella came home and announced "I ate some cress!" Say what?! To ensure we were talking about the same thing, I asked her what cress was. "It's got leaves, it's green". OK, sounds like she did eat cress! Up until this point, anything remotely green coloured has not passed Isabella's lips (unless it contains gelatin and colouring has been added to make it that way).

When it's just the two of you, wondering what to eat for tea (dinner, whatever you call it) can be a challenge but easily resolved by ordering a takeaway. 2011BK (before kids), Lee and I lived in a flat in the centre of town and ordered in, A LOT. When you have children, it isn't so straightforward. Can you imagine the teacher pulling you to one side to ask if Papa John is a relative?! (other pizza brands are available) We try our best, especially during the week to cook varied meals and try to encourage Isabella to try things other than ham sandwiches with tomato sauce. It's not easy and more often than not, we're faced with sheer dogged determination not to give into the pleas to give it a try. I've put together a little piece about the daily challenge of having a fussy child; nothing more fulfilling than scraping a untouched plate into the bin!

It begins with determination 

We'll all eat together today 

Just one meal I will cook

3 different ones? No way! 

We'll all sit around the table 

Get excited about our dinner 

This one is sooo yummy

You'll love it, it's a winner 

The plate goes down in front of you

All our breath we hold 

It's clear to see by your wrinkled nose

You're most definitely not sold

We exchange a quick glance

Determined we must be

"Try this little bit here

You'll love, you will see!" 

We pick up our forks, resilient 

Being sure to comment "oh yes

This is so delicious 

Definitely Mummy's biggest success"

The meal goes untouched

"I don't like it" you say

"Can I have something else

I'll try this one another day"

Compromise is the next stage

Bargain with you, we try

"Just 2 mouthfuls please"

Speaking gently, we don't want you to cry

Alas, your bottom lip wobbles

Your eyes begin to fill with tears 

Suddenly, terrible parents we feel 

We hope this doesn't go on for years 

I let out an audible sigh 

Another meal goes in the bin 

Right now this feels hard 

Strength we must find from within! 

Making something nutritious

But a meal you will eat

Is something a lot of parents battle

A mutual agreement we try to meet 

We tell you "it's ok"

And give you a big cuddle 

Something else we'll make you

Let's not get in a muddle 

We've been here before 

It's not worth getting stressed

It's all part of parenting

Yet another test 

We won't force her to eat

In her own time, we know she'll try

Broccoli, sprouts, green beans

I used to hate them all, I can't lie

From being understanding

Progress we have seen

A little empathy and encouragement goes a long way

Remember, children we have all been