One of my biggest worries is making sure that my kids eat well.  And as most anyone with a toddler or preschooler knows that is the hardest thing imaginable.  My kids are fickle and generally uncooperative when it comes to meal times.  If left up to them they would eat what I call the Toddler Food Trinity, PBJs, Macaroni and Cheese, and chicken nuggets every day.  For every meal.  If your kids aren’t like this, consider yourself lucky.  In fact go play the lottery or try your luck in Vegas.  Better yet, don’t. 

You probably used all your luck up on kids who eat well.  You absolutely have bragging rights.  The rest of us however trudge through the battles of getting kids to eat well.  The rule in my house is that the kids get to choose one meal each day.  They work out what they want for lunch.  Breakfast and dinner are all my decision.  I don’t force them to eat things, but they have to at least try something before decided whether or not they like it or not.  Side dishes at my house are always things that I know the kids like, fruit slices mashed potatoes, carrots.  You get the idea, something with nutrition that is guaranteed to be swallowed. 

The way I see it, this way the kids to actually eat, and they are being exposed to more than the toddler trinity of foods.  Sometimes it’s a success and they eat it, and other times they don’t.  But I do my best to not be upset either way.  I don’t want meal times to be a struggle, and I don’t want my kids to dread coming to the table.  It feels to me (at least for the time being) that everyone is winning. 

-Stephanie Wright