From the moment I became a parent, I suspected I might be passing on my selective taste buds to my children. On my first date with my partner, I chose a diner known for their decent chicken fingers because I was certain I could handle that. I didn’t even touch salad until my 20s, and it wasn’t until 2009 that I tried a strawberry. However, I eventually ventured out of my comfort zone and even revisited foods I once deemed inedible. Now, I can proudly say that I enjoy a variety of foods, including Brussels sprouts—something my younger self would have never tolerated.
Yet, some things remain a challenge, regardless of maturity. Grape-flavored liquid medicine is one of them. I still can’t convince myself to swallow that stuff, so I can’t blame my son for acting as if I’m offering him poison when it’s time for his cough syrup.
When he was an infant, administering medicine was a breeze. A gentle tilt back, a quick squirt from a syringe, and bam! The medicine was down. But as he grew and discovered his own autonomy, I had to rethink my approach. Enter bribery. I never envisioned myself as the type of parent who would resort to this, but adapting is essential, especially when your child’s health is at stake. I tried enticing him with promises of candy, toys, and extra screen time.
However, I quickly realized that children are often sick. My savings couldn’t handle the constant barrage of medicines, candy, and toys. So, I went back to the drawing board.
I attempted an authoritative stance: “You must take this medicine. You’re not leaving this table until you do!” That led to a seemingly endless standoff where I sat for two hours with no success.
Next, I tried a gentler approach: “Sweetheart, this medicine will help you feel better. Come sit with me, and I’ll help you.” He saw through that and refused to open his mouth.
Desperate, I attempted deceit: “This is like liquid candy, kid! So delicious! Made of sugar!” He wasn’t buying it. It felt unfair that my child was so clever, while I was at a loss.
It was a frustrating deadlock. I feared I would never get him to take his medicine and that sleepless nights would continue indefinitely. I envisioned a future where he was perpetually ill and I was forever battling a stream of runny noses.
Then, inspiration struck. I set him at the table with a cookie, some juice, and his cup of medicine. I addressed him directly: “This medicine is not going to taste good, but that juice is yummy, and this cookie is amazing. We can do this!”
Suddenly, I was reminded of high school parties where I’d bring orange soda to mask the taste of cheap alcohol. With that memory, I started drumming on the table, building up a rhythm. He looked puzzled, but I encouraged him with a nod. Before long, we were both laughing and having a blast, ready to tackle the dreaded medicine.
“Listen up, buddy,” I declared. “You’re going to take that medicine, chug your juice, and then enjoy your cookie. That’s it.”
There was no resistance this time. My son, caught up in the moment, followed my lead without hesitation. Sure, I might have inadvertently taught him how to down a shot of medicine at three years old, but you know what? It worked! He took his medicine, chased it down with juice, and devoured the cookie. Mission accomplished!
I can only hope that when he turns 21, as he prepares for his first drink (totally his first, right?), he orders it with a nostalgic twist: “I’ll have a juice and cookie, please.”
For more parenting tips and strategies, check out our article on how to navigate the journey of self insemination, and don’t forget to explore the resources available at Healthline for pregnancy information.
In summary, getting your toddler to take medicine can be a daunting task, but with a little creativity and a fun approach, it can become a less stressful experience. Embrace the chaos and remember that you are not alone in this parenting adventure.