Hold the line, Mama

I'm currently listening to the lamentations of a four year old eating dinner leftovers for breakfast because she chose not to eat what she was given. It's been a common thing lately- food rejection. I'm fairly reasonable: meals include something they'll enjoy plus whatever else mommy cooked. Sometimes the rule is "you must try everything" or "three bites" or "you can be done, but this will be the next thing you eat".

Well last night it was "if you'd like some cake then you have to finish the growing food". The response was, "I don't want cake."
(Now I KNOW you're just exerting your will, because you are a frosting fiend, my child)

Never fear, I can deal: "Okay, if you're no longer hungry [and I know you are but I'm letting that go] then this will be your breakfast tomorrow."

I could tell her that the last dozen times we've done this that she regretted it in the morning. But I know if I do then I will hear, "No, I won't be unhappy eating left overs for breakfast."

😐🤨

So here we are.
Twelve hours later reliving the "I am unhappy about my left overs for breakfast" scene.

I took it to DEFCON 2 with, "Well, sister and I are done eating. She's going to go play while I get ready. When you have finished then you can join us."

That was half an hour ago. For a while I heard whining. Then yelling.
I paid one visit to reiterate what I said and then let her figure it out. It's been quiet in the kitchen so I'm not sure yet if she's eating, pouting or plotting.

I'm not always this together (and maybe you don't think I have anything together in this situation) but I hope you know you're not alone with the opinions, objections and bargaining.

Set the limits. Make them clear. Then with a deep cleansing HOOSAH breath, calmly hold the line, mama.