gah, I hear ya girlfriend!

After having a dream dinner eater in DD, DS is just a nightmare, and frustratingly, he's the one influencing DD, not the other way around.

A few things that have worked for us (though with the disclaimer of not always, often random success)

- They have to eat at the table, but I'm not particularly fussy about the description of the table. I have eaten dinner at the kids table, the coffee table, outside...you get the idea.
- I try and get them to eat early - yes that means sometimes I'm eating really early, but they can't manage boo when they're tired and then generally bedtime turns to poo too.
- Horrifyingly (not really but some would be ) sometimes I give them a snack (a little one) an hour before dinner if they're particularly ratty. That helps tide them over and they aren't so starving that they're cranky and uppity at dinner time and unwilling to try anything.
- offer a smaller/larger different plate. DD refused for ages to eat her dinner. Turned out she wanted a plate like mine instead of a babies plate...whatdayaknow - she was happy to eat again. DS on the other hand needs a smaller plate or otherwise he's overwhelmed and won't eat boo.
- offer less food than you think they can eat. They can always have more and the small triumph for them of finishing a plate of food and your approval is often the boost they need. My MIL used to berate me for the tiny amount of food I'd give DD - but she'd eat it and ask for more She's happy and I'm happy - portion size is individual when your tummy is only as big as your fist.
- a 'picnic plate' as DD calls it. A little bit of everything we're eating and some other bits and pieces) in a segmented plate.

HTH some