For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for October 03, 2012

Tummy will learn, Elizabeth. Tummy will learn.

Aw, the pricelessness of having kids.

give her a carrot to munch.

Fifteen minutes is forever to a small child (unless it’s only fifteen minutes until bedtime, that is)!

For a little girl who talks baby talk, she just said something pretty erudite..

@SUSAN NEWMAN: You’re up very early. I couldn’t sleep, so I took the pill I’m supposed to take one hour before I eat anything and 4 hours before I can take my calcium.

but if you wait out the 15 minutes and then sit down to eat either #1 you will enjoy the food even more, or #2 you will find that you really weren’t hungry, just bored…….in any case give her a drink of water, that will help fill up any empty spots.

I usually give my children a piece of fruit or some water when this happens. I’ve also started cooking a little earlier so it doesn’t happen as often.

I wish my tummy could learn to tell time. It would make things way easier.

If she’s hungry before a meal, some low sodium vegetable juice is good; I see that Mom has her coffee ;-)

Happens almost every day at our place. Sometimes the little fruit or veggie snack works, but usually they’ll say NOOOO! They want something good and filling, RIGHT NOW!Nice observation, DAZZ, that Mom has her coffee. A little hypocrisy there?

I would say give her a few grapes or something…that 15 minutes is going to be a lot longer with her whining!!

Yes Mom has a cup of coffee but who does the work in theirhouse ???

I used to give my kids a few frozen peas in this sort of situation. Kept them quiet until dinner and didn’t ruin their appetite.

I’d give her a banana, some grapes or a handful of Cheeri-O’s. Any of those should tide her over for the next 15 minutes until dinner is finally ready.

Lizzie will clean her plate tonight!

Agree that mom has her coffee – hot liquid filling the stomach. Don’t understand the frozen peas deal. Give the kid something healthy (grapes, apple, raisins, crackers with peanut butter, etc depending on the child). Anything but you have to wait for a certain time on the clock as long as the meal is done. If dad is late – that is his problem not the kids.