Ok, it so happens that literally all of my little munchkins have to be psyched, pampered and sometimes harassed, just to get them to eat. So meal time could often run into hours. Even at that, I recognise that this is but a passing phase. Anyways, it soon became cliché in my home to use phrases of affirmation like: “I am proud of you” and “you are awesome” at meal times or whenever necessary. Most times, I would actually sing these phrases. Can I have a witness?!  #wink!

Earlier this week, at lunch time, we again engaged in our usual methodology of patience and praise.  Surprisingly, one of my little lads was done with his food in good time. I was distracted for a while by a phone call that I needed to take. I stepped away from the dining area to take the call. I returned to the dining when I was done. Not sure I spent more than five minutes on that call so I was surprised that they had all moved to the sitting room, watching TV. Excitedly, I went to each one of my kids and planted a kiss on their fore head as I chanted the words – I am so proud of you. “Don’t be proud of me yet mummy, I have not yet finished my food”, one of them said as I bent to kiss her. I managed a smile and said: “it doesn’t matter dear, I am proud of you still; would you please finish your food though?” She agreed and gobbled it up. Phew! Another lesson learned I thought to myself.