Meltdowns are common during dinner time - even for me - because everyone is tired and hungry. But don't worry, there are ways to make mealtime easier for both you and your little one.

1. Be Consistent: Set regular meal and snack times to establish a routine for your toddler. This will help them know when to expect food and reduce the likelihood of snacking throughout the day.

2. Offer Choices: Let your toddler have some control by offering them choices. Ask them if they want carrots or broccoli, or if they want peanut butter or hummus on their sandwich.

3. Keep Portions Small: Toddlers have small stomachs, so keep their portions small. They can always ask for more if they're still hungry.

4. Make it Fun: Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes with sandwiches or veggies. Let your toddler help mix ingredients or sprinkle toppings on their food.

5. Offer Finger Foods: Toddlers love to pick up and explore their food, so offer finger foods like cheese cubes, sliced fruit, or steamed veggies.

6. Keep it Simple: Toddlers can be overwhelmed by complex meals, so keep it simple. Stick to one or two ingredients for a meal, and avoid spicy or heavily seasoned foods.

7. Get Creative: Try different textures and flavors to keep mealtime interesting. Offer dips like hummus or ranch, or mix in different herbs and spices.

8. Avoid Distractions: Mealtime should be focused on food, so avoid distractions like TV or toys. Encourage your toddler to concentrate on their meal.

9. Make it a Group Activity: Eating together as a family can make mealtime more enjoyable for everyone. Sit down at the table together and share stories about your day.

10. Unique utensils: Challenge your child to eat with new utensils - like small tongs or toothpicks - and the fun aspect of them might encourage them to eat something.

With these tips, you can make mealtime easier for your toddler and for yourself. Remember, mealtime is an important time for family bonding and building healthy eating habits. Happy eating!