Hola. With a 3- and 1-year-old, food takes up a ridiculous amount of my brain space — figuring out what’s healthy, what’s quick, and how to stay sane in the process. If you're in the trenches of feeding tiny humans, you know it's equal parts strategy and luck. Here’s what’s made it slightly easier — or at least, less painful.
💻 AI meal planning: Even if your fridge is just condiments and vibes, AI can help.
🍽️ Want your kid to be nicer? Science says eating this food might do the trick (nope, not chocolate, I checked).
🍎 Lunch box Jedi moves: The secret to packing a lunch that actually gets eaten.
🍭 Rethinking food as a prize: Turns out that rewarding good behavior with treats might backfire. Time to revamp my negotiating skills.
— Claudia Rupcich / Writer / Richmond, VA
PS: If this email is helping you keep it together, you’ll love Skimm+. It’s your go-to tool kit for navigating life — expert-backed resources, ready-to-use templates, and a community that gets it. Because figuring it all out solo? Overrated. Join here.
we have to talk about
The latest in parenting news, tips, and trends:
Whether butter belongs on toast — or in your baby’s sleep routine.
Why parents are flocking to this restaurant — and it's got nothing to do with the menu.
The four toddler eating habits that are 100% normal (and completely infuriating).
How a new study found that a little creative storytelling might get broccoli off the enemy list at dinner. Pro tip: Get AI to draft the plot.
The 11 Costco finds one mom swears by for easy family dinners. Because buying in bulk is a love language.
no one asked us, but...
We have thoughts. We’re ranking mealtime products for kids from 0–10. No science, just snark.
Hard pass
0/10: Splat mats: We’re not into the “my home’s been hijacked by a baby” aesthetic. Also, kids throw food beyond the mat, so you’ll have to clean two surfaces. We’re good.
4/10: Silicone snack cups: Trust us — your toddler will figure out how to open the flaps and make a mess. Also, silicone picks up dust faster than a forgotten piece of Play-Doh.
Ehh
5/10 Ahimsa stainless steel mealtime set: They’re beautiful, sturdy, and free from microplastics. That price tag, though? Not in this economy.
More of this
9/10 B.box Snackbox: Easy to clean, just the right size for little hands, and indestructible. Seriously — it survives being hurled across the room. (Their lunch boxes and bottles do too.)
10/10 Simple Modern water bottles: Sturdy, spill-proof, and covered in characters your kid is obsessed with. Less mess + more hydration = We’ll take five.
ask an expert
Last week, we asked you to vote on a question to answer. The winner was:
How do I handle a toddler who refuses to eat at mealtime but wants snacks all day?
FEATURED EXPERT:
Kary Rappaport
Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Certified Feeding and Swallowing Specialist at Solid Starts
"When it comes to food refusal (and especially snacks), it has much less to do with the food, and much more to do with hunger, control, and pushing of boundaries," says Kary Rappaport, a licensed pediatric occupational therapist and feeding specialist at Solid Starts. Her top tips:
Stick to a mealtime schedule: Offer food every two to three hours to prevent all-day grazing, and stay firm on when food is available and when it's not.
Watch the milk intake: Too much breast milk, formula, or cow’s milk can curb hunger for solids. Try to keep your toddler’s milk consumption to less than 16 to 24 ounces per day.
Slowly incorporate new foods as snacks: Snacks don’t have to be crackers, Fruit Roll-Ups, or cookies. Let the Cheddar Bunnies run out and offer a replacement.
Be consistent with your response: This will help the phase pass faster. For example, if your kid asks for a snack right before a meal, you can say:
"You want snacks while you’re waiting for dinner. We can have veggies while we wait. Here are a couple of choices."
Or if they refuse the meal but want a snack: "Would you like to try again with your lunch? If not, we’ll have another chance to eat soon."
Remember to make a connection: When kids ask for snacks, sometimes they just want you to acknowledge their needs and to feel important. Don’t underestimate the power of moving your toddler to your lap while you eat, making a plan to cook something fun together, or even just recognizing their request and that they’re disappointed.
For more on toddler food battles (and how to win them), Solid Starts has guides on food refusal and mealtime struggles. Use code SKIMMTODDLERS for 20% off.
PS: The experts at Solid Starts are launching their first book on April 1.
the resource
Dinner Wins, Approved by Parents
These mom-recommended recipes are quick, tasty, and toddler-approved:
One-pan cheesy Tuscan chicken orzo: Mix, bake, enjoy. Our kind of meal.
No-bake energy balls: These are versatile, protein-filled, and delicious.
Guyanese-style chow mein: Don’t be intimidated by the ingredients list — this meal is worth it. Ketchup lovers, feel free to add some to the noodles.
relatable
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