Do you have a picky eater - or are you just looking for ways to make family meals go smoothly? First of all, eliminate screens - TVs or phones - so you can actually focus on each other. And have everyone do at least one thing to help set up the meal and clean up afterwards. Then, encourage positive attitudes towards new foods by following these tips:
- Don't be a short-order cook. Kids will learn to eat what's served. We always try to have something everyone enjoys on the plate, but if someone doesn't take at least one bite of everything, no dessert (we need to fill up on healthy food, not sweets, is what we tell our kids).
- Everyone takes a "no-thank-you" bite before they're allowed to refuse a food (unless it's a food you know someone can't stand from previous experience, but even this we still encourage our girls to take at least one small bite).
- No one can be rude. If they say something impolite about the food, they need to think of a compliment too. Teaching your kids how to politely refuse food is very helpful when you're going to other people's houses too, to avoid the embarrassment of them insulting the cook.
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