I have a 3yo and a 1yo who I hope will grow up to have good table manners and a healthy attitude to food - but how the hell do we get there? I try to cook them a nice variety of kiddy friendly meals, and I eat with them while insanely trying to chat about our day. My 1yo takes delight in flicking and/or squashing all his food. My 3yo tells me why everything I've cooked is wrong; too chewy, too lumpy, too green etc etc. He then proceeds to chew the same mouthful forvever while playing diggers, (or similar), with everything else on his plate. He rarely gets anywhere near finishing the tiny portions I give him.
It's even worse when we go to my parents. My mum fusses and gets upset and makes a drama out of how she must have done it wrong again. My dad glares and tuts at the children and eventually storms off. I know they think I should just get on and smack the 3yo and send him to bed, and they think I should spoon feed the 1yo. I'm not going to do this but what am I suppossed to do? I really feel I may as well give the kids a slice of toast in front of the telly each night.
I Have to go and do their baths in a mo but I had to get this off my chest first. Thanks in advance for any advice.