When it comes to picky eating, I thought I’d passed on my own discerning palate to my kids. On our first date, my husband and I chose a diner because I already knew their chicken fingers were top-notch. I didn’t even try salad until my twenties, and the first time I tasted a strawberry was in 2009!
Eventually, I decided to give new foods a shot, even revisiting items I once deemed repulsive. Fast forward to today, and I’m a grown woman who enjoys a balanced diet—yes, even Brussels sprouts, which would have made my younger self gag.
However, some things just don’t get easier with age, and grape-flavored liquid medicine is one of them. Even now, at 30, I can’t seem to down that stuff without cringing. So, I completely understand why my son reacts like I’m offering him poison when it’s time for his cough syrup.
When he was a baby, administering medicine was a breeze. Just lay him back, pop the syringe in, and voilà! But as he grew and gained control over his limbs, I had to rethink my tactics. Enter bribery. Not exactly the parenting approach I envisioned while carrying him around, but hey, adapting is part of the gig. I resorted to promises of candy, extra screen time, and toys—anything to get him to take his meds.
Soon, I realized that kids seem to catch every bug going around. I couldn’t keep emptying my wallet on medicine and treats, so it was back to the drawing board.
I tried the authoritative approach: “You must take this medicine. You’re not getting up until you do.” That led to a two-hour standoff with no medicine taken. I then opted for a gentler method: “Sweetheart, this medicine is crucial for your health. Come sit on my lap, and I’ll help you.” He scoffed at my softness and sealed his lips shut.
Desperation led me to lies: “This is like liquid candy, super delicious!” But he wasn’t fooled. How is it that kids can outsmart us before we even hit our midlife crisis? It felt like a stalemate. My son would never take his medicine, and I’d be doomed to endless sleepless nights listening to him cough, sneeze, and moan.
Then, I had an epiphany. I sat him down with a cookie, juice, and his medicine. “I know this stuff is yucky. It won’t taste good, but the juice is tasty, and this cookie is amazing, so let’s do this.”
Suddenly, I was reminded of my high school days when I had to mask the taste of cheap liquor with soda. I began drumming on the table, and to my surprise, he joined in, intrigued. Our rhythm quickened, laughter bubbled up, and I got him hyped for that nasty medicine.
“Alright, buddy. Three steps: down the medicine, chug the juice, and munch the cookie. Then it’s done!”
No fight, no fear, just a little guy ready to follow his mom’s quirky lead. I realize I might have taught him to down a shot at three years old, but you know what? I’m cool with it. He nailed it! He tossed back the medicine, chased it with juice, and devoured the cookie. Mission accomplished!
Now I can only hope that on his 21st birthday, as he takes his first drink (totally the first drink ever, I swear), he’ll ask the bartender for “Juice and cookie, please!”
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Summary
Getting toddlers to take their medicine can be a challenge, but creativity and a fun approach can make it easier. By using a mix of distraction, encouragement, and a little humor, parents can turn what seems like a monumental task into a manageable one.