Dinner Battles: The Update

I don't know what happened to change my mind, but the other day, I just decided I was done cooking two separate meals each time we eat dinner. I mean, really- it's a lot of extra work. And how long was I going to keep this up? I just decided to be done with it. But, I still needed Camden to eat dinner every night, so I also needed a plan.

Then it hit me: rewards work well with Camden. It's a much bigger motivational tool for him than, say, simply eating dinner to avoid going to time out. So, I devised a plan: each time he eats dinner (meaning, whatever I cook for everyone that night) without complaints, he gets a quarter. And once he has enough quarters, we'll go to the toy aisle at Target and let him pick out a small toy. I told him this plan and he was elated. He's already decided what he wants to buy with his money. And he's so excited every time he gets a quarter. Right now, he's proudly carrying them around in a tiny pouch. But, I ordered him his very own wallet (pictured below) that should arrive any day now.

So, this new plan has been in effect for 2 days now. And since the implementation of this plan, he has eaten what we've eaten for dinner both nights, including: chicken and broccoli stir fry and baked ziti. These are things he would've ordinarily turned his nose up to and requested chicken nuggets or pizza instead. So, yeah- I'd call that a win. And can I just say how awesome it is to cook only one meal a night? Yes, it's pretty amazing.

Now, there will definitely be nights that I'll make separate meals for the kids. When Matt and I are eating things that aren't kid friendly or that they genuinely just dislike, I'll have no problem serving fish sticks. I just want those nights to be the exception, and not the rule.

Here's to many successful family dinners ahead.