Bedtime for Frances

While at my parent’s house in February, my mom introduced Samantha to “Bedtime for Frances” a very cute book about a little badger and all the things children think of at bedtime to delay actually going to sleep.  At the end, as a last resort the dad tells Frances that it is her “job” to go to sleep, just like it is his job to go to work in the morning.  Samantha took this very seriously and is constantly telling us what her “job” is (fortunately, they are usually helpful things like brushing her teeth or picking up toys) And yes, there has been a time or two that Samantha has gotten out of bed way too many times and I’ve told her “Samantha, it’s your job to go to sleep now”. And just like a good girl she says “Oh yeah, it’s my job!” and runs off to bed and doesn’t get out again. :)

My mom suggested that I look into other Frances books.  There are quite a few in the series.  So when I got home I requested a few from the library.  The one that Samantha keeps wanting us to read is, “Bread and Jam for Frances”.  She calls it “Hungry Frances”.  In it, Frances won’t eat anything but Bread and Jam, so her mother ends up not giving her anything but Bread and Jam to eat for Breakfast, Lunch, Snack and dinner.  Finally, Frances wants to be able to try what they are having for dinner (Spaghetti and Meatballs) and then ends up enjoying different foods. 

Samantha’s never had Bread and Jam, so one day she asked to have some.  Stephen made some toast and put butter and jam on it. Samantha sort of freaked out though.  As soon as she saw the jam she declared “I don’t like jam, I want bread and butter!”  And then, all week Samantha’s been asking for Spaghetti and Meatballs, just like Frances.  So tonight I made some (fully prepared for her to “not like” them).  And I wasn’t disappointed.  She was so excited when I handed her her plate.  And then as she waited for me to dish up Stephen and myself she decided “I don’t like those” pointing at the meatballs (she did eat the spaghetti).  So we’ll have to continue working on her trying new things.  I can’t complain too much about her eating.  She loves broccoli and sometimes green beans, she’ll eat any type of meat (all of which is called “chicken”), including salmon and tilapia.  Some days she’s more adventurous than others, but she’s 3. :)

(Clara, on the other hand, loves food.  All food.  She eats nearly everything I give her.  So far her only consistent rejects have been fruit chunks, though she’ll eat them in baby food puree form… And carrots.  LOVES peas, but picks the carrots out when it’s a mix, it’s hilarious!)