Negotiations Have Begun

Every parent of a toddler knows that getting them to eat is a constant battle. I shouldn't say every, because I know there are a few fortunate souls out there. Well, it's a battle for me, anyway, every single stinking day. We've worked it out where I basically give Lauren whatever she wants for lunch (grilled cheese, nuggetts, mac & cheese) and she either eats what I cook for dinner or she gets nothing. She usually chooses nothing. But yesterday we had a breakthrough!!
She didn't want to eat any of the casserole that I made, which made me kind of bummed because it was just tater tot casserole. What 2 year old wouldn't want to eat tater tot casserole? Anyway, she didn't want to eat it, she wanted fruit snacks. So I told her that if she ate a bite she could have some. One bite, that's all. She kept says no, and that she wanted fruit snacks. Bryan, who is a big softy/pushover, wanted to give in, but I reminded him that we need to be consistant or she will never learn. She would put some in her mouth and then spit it out - I don't know if she thought that would get her a pass or what. After about 3 minutes of "negotiating" with her, she finally picked up the spoon, put some in her mouth, and swallowed. I was shocked!! It worked!! We are finally to the point of being able to maybe reason with the child! There is a small, tiny light at the end of this tunnell!