Watching a little person grow up is one of the most amazing things you can experience in life. But, for some people, the “terrible twos” can be a real nightmare. I know that I’m not alone in admitting that mealtimes can often a be a huge issue with toddlers but I’m told that it IS possible to make family meals with little ones fun AND stress free! Hurrah! Here are some some simple strategies that you can follow to achieve those goals:

Invite their friends to dinner

Ever noticed how toddlers act differently at the table when their friends are present? It’s no coincidence, toddlers are quite observant and will mimic the behaviour of those around them. Invite parents with toddlers that have good table manners as it’s highly likely they will influence your toddler too.

Don’t scold your kids for being messy

Some adults cringe at the thought of food getting splattered around everywhere. They might even tell off their offspring for doing so. But, at such a young age, it should get encouraged. Why? Because it helps them to develop their creativity. And it won’t limit what they feel they can do in later life.

Get your kids to help you cook

Yes, there are some tasks you should never get a toddler to do (such as using a knife). But, they can get involved in other ways. For example, you can have them mix up some ingredients in a bowl or helping to prepare fruit, e.g. picking grapes.

Have a set dining area

It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a dining room. It’s likely you can still designate somewhere as a dining area with a little thought and creativity, for example, did you know that you can get tables for studio apartments that expand out for dinner purposes? Check out the infographic below for some other interesting dining facts:

Infographic Credit To Furl