#parkrd

We’d been interested in Fromage the cow for quite awhile both because the name was cute and who doesn’t love an overload of cheese? My only hesitation was that it was going to be a restaurant that served cheese and only cheese. Given our disappointing fondue experiences from Switzerland I had to say I was all cheesed out. However, one glance at the menu will prove they do indeed serve other foodstuffs.

We went as a foursome for dinner a few weekends ago and overall left with a neutral impression and very full stomachs. Not enticing enough to return though.

FOOD (their winter menu)... 3/5

To start

- Antipasto for 4. $39. So epic I had to pull out my rickety iPhone 5 and attempt a photo in these horrendous lighting conditions. 

To share

- Seared tuna loin. $16. Good, not mind blowing.

- Gnocchi large. $27. Great. Pillowy, soft, gorgeous.

- Confit duck for two. $68. Dry, underwhelming.

- Tartiflette. Included in duck. Small, would not be able to justify $10 as side to order on its own. Flavour of taleggio was there. Textural failure.

- Salt baked beetroot. $10. Better than the gratin. Texturally for baked beetroot again fell short.

- Truffe + Parmesan fries. $10. Excellent. Noone can screw this combo up for imo.

ATMOSPHERE 3.5/5

Very quaint little shop. I’d imagine in daylight the decor would be more light and appealing. At night they have this strange purple light that reminds me of the public toilet lights in Melbourne. The ones they put on to prevent people shooting up? Quite nauseating. It was either that or the cheese overload that made us very sleepy towards the end of the dinner.

SERVICE 4/5

Service was standard. Nothing outstanding but noone was rude either.

When all rational parenting methods fail, I compensate for not spanking by going fucking apeshit in every other way — shouting, threatening, throwing away beloved toys, spray painting “Turk 182” on their bedroom wall.

I think you’ve kinda answered your own question, though. You said you feel like all you’ve done is relieved your frustration, no mention of how effective it was for Max. (Also, you said you feel like shit afterward.) That’s why I don’t spank.

There was one instance when I used a form of physical punishment. One of our boys was misbehaving at a friend’s house, so I took him into a bedroom to scold him. He started shouting “Ow!” because he was scared, not because I was hurting him. But, it pissed me off so I pinched him hard on his side and said, “That’s when you say ‘ow.’” It worked for about a month.

Look, we have friends who are “spanking parents.” They’re fine people. So fine, in fact, they also have a set of guidelines that ensure they’re not doing it in anger. When I want to spank the boys, it’s all about the anger, so I don’t do it.

As for getting the boys to listen, it’s fucking hard. But, we use tactics like time-outs (and the shouting and throwing away toys and stuff). It’s not a final solution, but a set of tools to combat an ongoing behavior that all kids do. I mean, seriously, if all kids listened all the time, parenting would only take, like, three years.