When it comes to picky eating, I worried I might have passed that trait down to my children. On my first date with my husband, I chose a diner I knew served decent chicken fingers. I didn’t even try salad until my 20s and only tasted my first strawberry in 2009. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace new foods, even revisiting things I once deemed unappetizing. Now, I proudly consume all food groups, including Brussels sprouts, which would have made my younger self cringe.
However, some challenges remain constant, regardless of maturity. For instance, grape-flavored liquid medicine is something I still struggle to swallow at 30. So, I can’t blame my son for reacting as if I were offering him poison when it’s time for his cough syrup.
Administering medicine was simple when he was a baby. A slight tilt back, and his mouth would open for a syringe of that honey-flavored concoction made for infants. But as he grew and developed his own will, I had to rethink my strategy. I never imagined I’d resort to bribery, yet when faced with the task of getting my child to sleep without coughing all night, desperate times called for desperate measures. I offered promises of candy, screen time, and toys.
Soon enough, I realized that children frequently get sick, and I couldn’t afford to keep buying medicine and treats. It was back to the drawing board.
I tried being authoritative: “You must take this medicine. You’re not leaving the table until you do.” This led to two hours of stubbornness and no progress. Then I switched to a softer approach: “Sweetheart, this medicine will help you feel better.” But he sensed my unease and clamped his lips shut.
I even resorted to dishonest tactics: “This medicine is like liquid candy!” He saw right through that. It felt like a stalemate—my son would never take his medicine, leading to endless sleepless nights filled with coughing and fevers.
Then, I decided to get creative. I set him up at the table with a cookie, some juice, and his medicine. I leveled with him: “I know this medicine is yucky, but the juice is delicious, and the cookie is awesome. Together, we can do this.”
I found myself reminiscing about high school parties where I’d mask unpleasant-tasting drinks with soda. I began a rhythmic beat on the table, and he looked at me in confusion. My encouraging nod communicated that we were in this together, and soon we were both drumming away, laughing, and getting pumped for the medicine.
“Alright, buddy. Here’s the plan: you’re going to take the medicine, chug the juice, and enjoy the cookie. Then it’s all over.”
To my surprise, there was no resistance. My son followed my enthusiastic lead and took the medicine, washed it down with juice, and happily devoured the cookie.
I can only hope that on his 21st birthday, when he goes to take his first drink (which I’m sure will be his first ever), he’ll ask the bartender for “Juice and cookie, please.”
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Summary:
Administering medicine to toddlers can be a challenging task for parents. Creative strategies, like incorporating fun elements and rewards, can make the process smoother. By engaging children in a playful manner and reassuring them about the necessity of medicine, parents can successfully navigate this common parenting hurdle.
Keyphrase: toddler medicine administration
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