How to end a hunger strike

Dear Jacob,

You're almost 16 months old. Most kids your age like cheese cubes, and fish sticks, and cheerios, and fruit. I know. I've had two kids your age at my table before, and I've talked to some other moms. While it's not an ideal diet, we can all agree that it is a fairly normal diet for your age group.

But you? You defy logic and reason. You love falafel and lamb and tomatoes and the occasional chicken nugget. You like peanut butter on a spoon, but not on a cracker. You'll eat a whole apple, but not a sliced one. You like black beans and rice, but only if they haven't touched cheese or meat. You'll eat pork barbecue, but you won't go near a chicken breast. 

So Jacob, I'm officially throwing in the towel. If this hunger strike is going to end, it's going to be on your terms, when you're ready. Until then, I'm going to continue to cook what I want to cook and hope you get hungry enough to eat it.

Tonight, for reasons I'll never understand, Pad Thai and mint chocolate chip ice cream were on your approved list. 

Whenever you're ready to start eating like a normal toddler, just let me know.

Sincerely,

Your mom