Our kids, like most, are pretty picky eaters. My wife spends some time and effort a couple times a week cooking, and then we find ourselves making a hot dog, chicken nuggets or cheese and crackers for the kids.

A couple of months ago we decided it was time that we not only eat together, but all start eating what my wife put effort in to cooking, so we would put very small portions of food on the kids’ plates and make them sit there until they finished it. I have to say the first couple of times we did that it was tough for all of us, and they would sit at the table for long periods of time, and my wife and I felt bad, but it has gotten better. Last night the kids actually did not take that long to eat their portions and they did not even complain! It was really nice.

So, we started with my wife feeling bad because the kids would not eat her cooking; now she feels bad because the kids don’t like her cooking, but I do think we are moving in the right direction. I know my mom made me sit at the table a couple times when I was a kid until I cleared my plate, and I like all kinds of food now, so I just hope the same will happen with my kids.