As a parent, I thought I would pass on my selective taste buds to my children. I remember my first date with my husband, where I insisted we go to a diner that served chicken fingers I deemed acceptable. It wasn’t until my early twenties that I even attempted salad, and I only tasted my first strawberry in 2009. Over time, however, I’ve learned to embrace new foods and even revisit those I once found unpalatable. Now, I can proudly say that I enjoy a variety of foods, including Brussels sprouts, which would have horrified my younger self.
But certain things, like grape-flavored liquid medicine, remain a challenge. Even at 30, I still struggle to swallow that stuff, so I can’t blame my son for treating it like poison when it’s time for his cough syrup.
When he was a baby, administering medicine was straightforward. Just lay him back, squirt it in with a syringe, and voilà! But as he grew and asserted his independence, my strategies had to evolve. I found myself bribing him, something I never thought I’d resort to while carrying him. Promises of candy, screen time, and toys became my go-to methods, but soon, I realized that kids are perpetually sick, and I couldn’t keep dipping into our savings for medicine and rewards.
I tried a more authoritative approach: “You have to take this medicine. You’re not getting up until you do.” That was how I spent two hours at the table with no success. Then, I attempted to be gentle and supportive, but he merely scoffed at my attempts. I even resorted to fibbing: “This medicine is like liquid candy!” But he wasn’t buying it.
It felt like an endless stalemate. I imagined a future where my son would be constantly sick, and I’d be a parent with a perpetually snotty child. Then, a light bulb went off.
I sat him down with a cookie, juice, and his medicine, laying it out straight. “I know this medicine is yucky. It won’t taste good, but this juice is delicious, and this cookie is amazing. We can do this together.”
Suddenly, I was hit with memories of my high school days when I would sneak in soda to wash down the less-than-pleasant beverages at parties. I started drumming on the table, and my son looked puzzled at first, but soon he joined in. We picked up the rhythm, laughing and shouting, and it became a fun event instead of a chore.
“Alright, buddy. Three steps: down the medicine, chase it with juice, and finish with the cookie. Then we’re done!” There was no fighting or hesitation. Just a pumped-up kid ready to follow my lead because I was being a bit silly. Yes, I realized I had taught him a form of “shot-taking” at the ripe age of three, but honestly, it worked. He took the medicine, chased it with juice, and devoured the cookie. Done!
I can only hope that when he hits 21, he’ll walk up to the bar and order, “Juice and cookie, please.”
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In summary, navigating the challenge of getting a toddler to take their medicine can be frustrating, but with a bit of creativity and humor, it can become a fun experience for both parent and child.
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