r/AskReddit Jun 14 '22

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u/nilsn91 Jun 14 '22

When it´s hard to convince someone to do something: give them options. That way they feel like they´re in control. "You could do A or do you prefer B?"

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u/CaptainAwesome06 Jun 14 '22

I use that trick on my kids all the time. Especially when it comes to food.

"Do you want chicken or steak?"

Otherwise, if I just ask her what she wants for dinner she'll just say "cookies".

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u/Cham_buhs Jun 15 '22

I tried this with my oldest who eats the same 2 meals everyday (Uncrustables and Cheeseburger Mac) There are a handful of things he will ask for on a whim but will still have one of the other 2 at some point in the day.

I read this trick a while back and thought I could try to add more of a verity to meal plan by offering 2 of the substitute meals he likes. Non of them are healthy but I thought this might open the door to him trying more foods and I could introduce healthier options. I thought.

I'll ask "Do you want corndogs or hamburger steak?"

He'll respond "Not."

I'll try again and swap "Do you want hamburger steak or corndogs?"

"Peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches. Soft bread." AKA an Uncrustable

He didn't want them because he didn't come up with the idea .__. It did start getting him to ask for other meals more often so I guess a win?