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I wish to provide a different view of getting your picky child to eat; a more preventative view, if you will.

Picky children are not born, they are created. In days past, mother's put a plate on the table and the child, picky or not, ate his dinner because he was told to. Children who did not eat were sent to the corner to think about it, or caused to miss the meal altogether. Families of this age and mindset appreciated that they had food and did not focus on what they did not have. Food was survival, and they survived on what they had, tasty or not.

Fast forward to today's parents and children, and you find something entirely different. I have heard my generation called the 'burger king' generation: we want our way right away. We appreciate the very best things in life and take the rest for granted. My mother, only one generation back, is flabbergasted that parents my age are so focused on finding options for children. No wonder it is harder to teach a child to be grateful, we are raising them to expect options instead of teaching them to appreciate the basics.

My daughter, my only treasure, came to me at great personal cost. Naturally, I want to spoil her to pieces. Even more, however, I want her to be a well-rounded individual who is easy for others to get along with and love. This desire extends to the family table. (Pay attention, this is where the preventative measure I was referring to comes in.)

From the time she began eating baby food we introduced her to all kinds. I noted what she did and did not prefer, but continued with a variety of foods. (She never did scream through any meals, I paired bites if I knew she tolerated but did not like a certain flavor.) This extended into her toddler years, when veggies are so easily learned to love if they are provided frequently and cooked properly. By cooked properly I mean to the right softness, I do not advocate salting a young child's dinner. Over-salting is a habit best never learned.

At age one she was eating raw veggies. I even kept handy (and ate) the few vegetables I do not prefer myself, to have them available to her. Such a tender age, and yet she was eating cucumbers, tomatoes, even zucchini and squash! To this day she especially prefers tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers.

Her life, from day one, has been filled with fresh fruits and veggies. I did not, and still do not allow her to choose cereal for this home. Every now and then I will surprise her with a box of something sugared, but

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