It doesnt really matter how others would mould their children and as far as i'm concerned, people have different ways. And of course, I believe, all are good in thier own ways or interest. You know you would need help when there is a moment you would end up with "tak tau la kenapa anak aku ni jadi lagu ni..tak tau nak wat apa dah.." then we would resort to help and advice. In my case, if that arises, my mentor (mum) would provide guidance.
But, i do realize, that when mum is uncontactable and Daniel needs to eat sayur, I have to take matters into my own hands. From a non-sayur eater, (actually all these while before this, I still camouflage the sayur, so that he dont have to know that the sayur is there), he turned into a visible lettuce eater! (at least lettuce first). Carrots he will take them in the form of Carrot Juice with Milk.
No more sayur hiding for me and tension at makan table... yipeee. All because sometime last year when I prepared Egg Salad and some Shapshuka for brunch.
The Egg salad was like boiled eggs and some Golden Butterhead Lettuce.
Daniel: Ma, knapa ada sayur ni?
Me: Juuuust, eat it please, adik
Daniel: I douwwant pleeease ma
Me: Eat it......
Daniel: Sayur ni tak best.. :(
Me: Mana adik tau, adik belom try
Daniel: Adik tau la sebab semua sayor tak best
Me:Duh... tak kira.. makan jugak. its good for you. Nanti adik jadi kuat macam popeye dengan hulk.
Daniel: Macam daddy?
Me: ah-ah, macam daddy jugak. dia makan sayur la tu.
Daniel: Tak mau please ma... (tears swelling)
Me: Kenapa lagi ni?
Daniel: Nanti adik muntah macamana?
Me:Oh really? then muntah je la... mama nak tengok adik makan pastu muntah ke tak
Daniel: Nanti sapa nak lap?
Me: Adik lap la, tu pun kalau muntah
Daniel: *putting on a face*
Me: Well?
He started to feed to his mouth a spoonful of cut lettuce and egg (half by half on the spoon). Then the next he requested for more egg to be on the spoon, which i said no to. Then he started chewing slowly feeding lettuce on one spoon and egg on the next. (By this time the pieces are chopped bite size so that he can feed them straight without having to cut first).
Me: Clever boy, tak muntah pon!
Daniel: Sedap ni! *grin*
Me: Kan ma kata lain kali try dulu, kalau muntah tu boleh lap
Daniel: Adik tak muntah... tak muntah.
He was beaming proudly also when orang lain like kakak, daddy and Lala cheered him on as well after that. Like, where were these people earlier? Huh... the susah bits are always I have to handle lah kan. isk isk isk.
I know at the back of his mind, his muntah is there, but prolly thinking that he has to wipe it himself, then he held it back. But then, I also know, its more about the egg that attracts him more than the sayur.
Today, one stress of having to pujuk Daniel to eat sayur, is down.
That's my story of my son and sayur.
Of course, till now, the sayur have to be accompanied by something, either egg or mayonnaise or a bit of his favourite gravy and mix it with rice or stacked into a sandwich.
So as to answer the question of Intan, well, not all mothers have a breeze of a time getting their children to eat vegetables. I'm one of them. Dont worry intan, you will get through.