Frequently Asked Questions

  • Dinnertime at our house is always so chaotic. How can I take back control and make mealtime pleasant?

    It's been important for me to set rules that I'm comfortable with and can uphold at the table. These are my house rules (and you can decide which may work for you):

    • No toys at the table.
    • No television or other forms of entertainment.
    • If kids can't play, neither can adults. That means no phone calls, grown-ups!
    • Everyone feeds him or herself — age appropriate.
    • Children help set the table, clear plates and take turns helping clean up the baby's mess. We keep a small dustpan and mini-sweeper in the kitchen.

  • My son never eats all the food I give him. How do I know if he's just full, or if I'm giving him too much?

    Eating about a fistful of food is a typical meal for a hungry toddler. Toddlers are busy and active and for many, sitting at the table eating is an activity that is difficult to sustain after they have eased their hunger.

    Giving children heaping platefuls of food is overwhelming for them. You can let them feel a sense of accomplishment by finishing small portions and then asking for "more, please!" At my house, give them tiny portions and I watch as their eyes light up with excitement as they refill their own plates.

  • Both my husband and I work full time, and it seems like we never have enough time to cook dinner. What shortcuts can we take to make dinner planning easy?

    Shortcuts are not only okay, they're necessary! If I'm very short on time, I'll often use canned or frozen veggies; check the label to make sure there is no sugar or other additives.

    Pre-chopped veggies are more expensive but great for purées (I prefer fresh for crudites). Use them as soon as possible after purchase; the shelf life of cut-up vegetables is significantly shorter than for whole veggies.

    Purées can just as well be added to store-bought foods such as macaroni and cheese and boxed cake mixes. I'd recommend adding the purée incrementally, tasting after each addition, so that you can judge the correct balance of flavor for your family.