5 Tips for Making Dinner Less Stressful with a Toddler

Dinner (or meal time in general) can be stressful with a toddler. You come home from work tired and probably hungry, your toddler is hungry and cranky, you aren’t sure what to make or what they will eat. You give them some snacks to keep them busy and quiet while you get dinner ready. You finally get on the dinner table and your toddler refuses to touch anything on their plate.  You try to get them to take “one bite” of everything before they can get up from the table but they continue refuse. You are now thinking you don’t want to have them go to bed hungry so you ask what they want, you either end up cooking something new or relying on more “snacky” foods like crackers or chips.  Sound about right? Well.. you are not alone! I hear this from parents all the time. The constant battle at dinner and stress that leads to an unpleasant family dinner. But it doesn’t have to be that way!!

Here are my 5 tips for making dinner time less stressful!

1. Remember the Division of Responsibility! I talk more about it in these posts Division of Responsibility: Part 1 and Part 2. Parents you are in charge of what is offered at dinner and when and where it is served, your child is in charge of how much and whether they eat what is served.
2. Plan meals ahead! – Know what you are going to make ahead of time. Maybe have a few things prepared ahead so the preparation and cooking process takes less time.
3. Include at least one food your toddler loves.   Bread and butter is always an easy option to have on hand to offer. Also maybe some dairy or fruit. That way you know your toddler will eat something.
4. Limit snacking just before dinner. Eating a snack just before a meal doesn’t allow your toddler to come to the dinner table hungry. Instead they often come to the table full and less likely to eat or try new foods. If it has been more than 3 hours since they have eaten a snack, consider offering some fruit or veggies and dip. This way they are getting some beneficial nutrients.
5. Avoid encouraging your toddler to eat a specific foods. If your toddler refuses to eat or eats very little,   avoid encouraging them to “take a bite” or bribing them with dessert. Instead let them be in the drivers seat and decide how much to eat of what is offered. It’s ok if they don’t touch anything! If bedtime is still a couple hours away plan a nourishing and filling bedtime snack like milk and crackers or fruit and cheese.

These tips have made meal time in my house much easier. What has also helped keep me in check is always reminding myself that children still have the ability to listen to their bodies and eat intuitively that will allow them to grow and develop!  Check out this post for more information on raising a happy, healthy eater!

If you have any concern regarding your toddlers eating habits or need help implementing these tips into your family meal time, please contact me here.