At an appointment when Ted was about five years old, I slipped the pediatrician a note asking him to speak about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. I needed an ally.
The doctor broached the topic conversationally. “Ted,” he said, “what is a fruit or vegetable that you really don’t like?”
Silence. I was intrigued. This should be an easy question for Ted, who did not like any fruits or vegetables. Why was he taking so long to answer? I had a horrifying thought: was it that Ted has so little exposure to fruits and veggies that he cannot even name one?
No, that was not the case. He was thinking about it because he was coming up with a really good answer. “Lemons.”
Dr. Walter, suppressing a chuckle: “Okay, Ted. Don’t eat ANY lemons.”
In the rest of the script, Dr. Walter got Ted to admit that there was a fruit or vegetable “that might be okay to eat.” Apples.
However, later, when served apples, Ted admitted that he was just being a good sport with the doctor. He had no intention of eating any.
Ted 1. Adults 0.
I love this post and laughed out loud upon reading it! I love that you “slipped the pediatrician a note”. Check. Done that. And I especially loved this part, “Why was he taking so long to answer? I had a horrifying thought: was it that Ted has so little exposure to fruits and veggies that he cannot even name one?” OMG, as a boy mom, have I had those same thoughts about that topic and others! Thank you for making me smile and feel that I’m not alone 🙂
Oh, Christina, you are not alone! This is part of our family lore, and even though I have told this story hundreds of times, I still laugh, too.
Griffin once ate for his daily meat at dinner hot dogs, and only hot dogs, for 6 straight months. Veggies – not a problem, but no “bird meat” for him, also no pork or fish or even hamburger. So I bought the highest quality hot dogs I could find (interestingly, Hebrew National) and just didn’t enter the fight. One night after 6 months, he thought the meatloaf I had made for myself smelled awfully good. “Oh, can I have some.” “Sure, after you finish your hot dogs. You didn’t tell me you wanted anything else.” Pause for bleak look at hot dogs. “Will there be any left overs for tomorrow?” “Sure.” “Well, I think I don’t want hot dogs any more. Can I have meat loaf tomorrow?” “Of course.” The end of the hotdog era.
Ha! That makes me think of this: http://laurakornish.com/2017/10/countdown-to-halloween-hotdog-zebra/. 🙂
I have heard you tell this story – and I still loved it!