Go ahead I am not looking

I am at the table, and the forks are going.....slowly.  I am officially "that mom" I have pulled out the laptop at the dinner table while my child is still eating.  *Sigh*

Not that I have to defend myself, but I have been sitting here for 45 minute while my 3-year-old tries to eat approximately 4 tablespoons of shepherds pie that I made from scratch.  She is licking her fork, climbing on her chair, and humming a song from My Little Pony.  Basically, she is doing everything except eating.  She is not talking anymore other than the "can I be done yet?" that comes from her corner of the table every few seconds.  Don't worry child I am happy to remind you again that you have to eat a few bites before you get down from the table.

Why the laptop you ask?  It is not out of sheer boredom, or out of annoyance. Both of which I have been at dinner sometimes.  It is hard not to be annoyed sometimes when you put you love, sweat and tears into dinner to be met with so much disappointment.

 I am happy to say it is not everyday!  Most of the time at dinner I get to sit at the table and talk to my girls.  We talk about the best and worst parts of our day.  We laugh, We tell jokes.  Alas, not tonight folks.  Tonight, the dining room table was filled with dirty looks, and tears that threatened to spill out because I dared to put food on the table that did not resemble macaroni and cheese, or hotdogs!  The horror!

 I pulled out the laptop because my youngest will only eat bites when she thinks I am not looking.  If I so much as glance in her direction she makes a face.  Parents, you know the face.  The face that says "I think you might be secretly trying to kill me with dinner."  Yes daughter, the delicious homemade food I made for our family might in fact jump right out of that bowl and bite you.

I am sure you have been there, and I know we all have but here is the thing...  I am still going to be here darling.  I still going to make dinner no matter how many faces you make.  I am still going to ask that you at least try new things, because most of the time you like them.   I know, call the food police, I want you to experience things!

But just for tonight....I won't look at you.  Go ahead, pretend you hate dinner, and eat it when I am not looking.

EDIT:  She ended up eating the entire bowl as long as I wasn't looking.  :)