Frustrated when your child refuses to eat fruits and vegetables? Learn how to get kids to eat vegetables — no more fussy eaters! Getting kids to eat vegetables—or healthy food for that matter—can often be one of the biggest power struggles, don't you think? We worry whether they're getting the nutrients they need, or don't want to end up with a "picky eater" who needs a special menu. Wouldn't it be great if they ate vegetables with gusto (or at least curiosity)? How to get kids to eat vegetables Granted, vegetables aren't always the top of the list of foods most kids ask … [Read more...]

Want to encourage your child to not only eat good food, but WANT to? Discover effective tips on how to raise kids who want to eat healthy. We have a bag of candy at all times of the year, from our Halloween stash to Valentine's Day goodies. But thankfully, my kids don't gobble them up galore. Instead, they've learned to savor the few pieces of candy they can have for a few days after those holidays. They know it's not healthy to eat every day, but a treat to enjoy once in a while. So, no matter how many bags of sweets we end up with, they're mostly to give away or spread throughout … [Read more...]

Want to organize meals without complicated systems? Take a look at a simple method of meal planning for beginners, perfect for the busy mom. Scrambling for dinner at 4:30pm with whatever is in the pantry. Stressing about what to cook every night, and wasting time running to the grocery store several times a week. Spending extra money either buying items you don't even need, or relying on take-out yet again. Sound familiar? These are the downsides of winging your nightly meals, something many busy moms succumb to. After all, we're not just dealing with our own meals, but the kids' as … [Read more...]

Picky eating is common among many dinner tables. Learn how to get rid of picky eating and help your child eat a variety of food. Food thrown on the floor. A mouth clamped shut. Plates pushed away at the dinner table. These are the scenes of a typical picky eater, one who has his repertoire of favorite foods and refuses to try others. But then you hear of other kids who eat calamari and kale, green beans and gouda cheese. Meanwhile, you just want your kid to eat a mango. This is picky eating at its finest. So, how do they do it? How do parents raise kids willing to try anything … [Read more...]

Tired of how your children behave at meal times? Learn how to encourage table manners in kids and have a pleasant experience with the family. We were sitting at a table next to a mom with her two kids. She had been trying unsuccessfully to get them to sit down properly and finish their meal. She eyed my kids sitting quietly and, with an exasperated chuckle, asked, "How do you do it?" First, a disclosure: my kids aren't "perfect" at the dining table. The strangest phrases have come out of our mouths to get them to behave, from "Please stop scraping your fork along the table," to "The … [Read more...]

A restaurant is supposed to be a treat, but you feel more stressed. Learn how to enjoy a restaurant with kids, even without screens or snacks. With three kids, I've had my fair share of restaurant madness. They'd switch seats and wouldn't stay put, or they'd drop one of their burger buns before they even had a bite of it. By the time I was able to eat, my meal was disappointingly cold. It definitely hasn't always been easy. But each time I've gone, I pick up more tips to enjoy a restaurant with my kids. Now, for the most part, they behave well in restaurants. What makes our … [Read more...]