Are you looking for some very common questions and concerns – like should your toddler sit with you at the table and eat? Should you have her eat if she doesn’t want to? Should you force her to try new foods? Should you make her sit there until her plate is clean or until she’s eaten two bites of peas? If she asks to leave the table before her father and I are finished eating, should you let her?

Here are the answers to all your questions.

Trying to get a two-year-old to sit still is like trying to keep water in a sieve. Toddlers are not fans of the niceties of dining. Don’t force her to eat. You want her to learn to eat only what she needs; forcing her to eat now could lead to weight problems later because she’ll have no idea how to gauge her real food needs. Have her stay at the table until she’s finished, and encourage her to try new foods, but don’t make it a fight. When she’s done, let her excuse herself and leave the table.

Most toddlers eat only one good meal a day and that’s usually breakfast or lunch. Unfortunately for them, and us, we focus on the evening meal. Relax and make mealtime pleasant for her. Understand that, at age two, sitting through a whole adult meal is simply beyond her capabilities.

So next time don’t make a fuss on dining table over these questions.

Enjoy your meal!!