A new kind of birthday list

Our son who has refused to try any fruit or vegetable (other than baby food) for years, now eats spinach! The kudos for getting him to try goes to Daddy who convinced him to eat pizza that had spinach on it by telling him it would make him stronger (good ole Popeye). And since then, he has had the same pizza a few more times and eaten pasta with Alfredo sauce and spinach sauteed in olive oil. Today he had some leftover pasta with cheese sauce from the restaurant last night and asked me if I could put some spinach on it for him.

It is a first baby step towards willingly eating a balanced diet. He now has a list of things that he says he will try when he turns 4. So far apples and salad are on the list and we have a little while to go to figure out what else might make the list. I like this list for a few reasons. First, I think it takes some of the emphasis away from the other kind of birthday list (i.e. the "what are you going to buy me?" birthday list). Instead of his birthday being all about presents, his birthday is about personal growth, trying new things, getting older. All of those things that birthdays are supposed to be about. Second, having the list will help him mentally prepare for trying new things. He is very hesitant around new people and in new situations, so cautiously anticipating something and mentally preparing for it means that he will have a better chance of success.

I guess we're off to the market to buy more spinach tomorrow....