Breakfast, lunch, and dinner seem the best way to ensure a balanced diet, but the fact is that we may not need three meals a day. And it really isn't a matter of tension if a family member misses dinner. Your child will not starve to death because he was playing softball and forgot to come home for dinner. You should let the children serve themselves, in this way they can decide how much to put on their plates and can always take a second helping if they want it. You should expect your children to taste every dish that's been prepared. If they don't like it, you should not force them to have to eat any more but it's an excellent way to expand their food horizons. You can make food look attractive and interesting. You should involve your children in the family menu and also allow them to suggest foods. You should take your children to the grocery store. Try and turn off the television set and make the dinner table a place for good conversation.

The one thing I disagree with is taking your child to the grocery store. I don't know about you, but I end up spending much more money when I take my kids to the grocery store with me. They also want the junk food that I don't buy.

I have to add, if your child didn't like a food, that is ok. Just reintroduce it to him at another time. My kids use to hate certain foods and as they became teenagers they tried them again and now love them.

I too agree with you antkmom regarding taking children to the grocery store and selecting their own menu for the dinner, why because they select the items which are attractive to their eyes, they are nothing but junk foods which helps in loss of appetite, where children will not like the food which we prepare though it is nutritious for them to eat.
So, it's better that we'll not take them for grocery store.

I wish my father had have thought like you!

When I was a child I was virtually forced to eat food that I did not like and thus became a very fussy eater in my early teens.

With my children I am totally different. If they don't like something then they don't have to eat it. The only rule I have is that they at least try it.

I like how you think. I think letting your kids eat when they're ready is the best way. There are way too many parents now that force their kids to eat and I don't think this is helping.. look how many people are overweight! Have you seen how many fat kids there are lately.. it's like.. the parents think they're going to starve to death or something. They'll be much healthier if you let them eat when they need it.

That's what leftovers are for

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-Brittany Brydahl