Soups and salads, fruit kabobs on pretzel sticks and cheese can all be served to keep peace until the meal is ready. Include children in growing, buying and preparing food when possible. Children like separate foods better than mixtures because they can tell what they are eating. The same principle applies when they are helping with the cooking. Television, radio, other loud music, reading materials, telephones and doorbells are intruders to your family meals.
Healthy families share family meals.
Pleasant memories are made when all members contribute their thoughts and feelings about their day, share funny stories and celebrate traditions. Developing happy and sociable mealtimes is much more important than forcing a child to eat three peas. Consider your goals for eating together now and in the future. Calif. This newsletter is published for North Dakota families with preschoolers by the NDSU Extension Service and distributed through your county extension office. See your extension agent for more parenting information and other home economics programs.