12 Real Moms and Dads Share Tips to Make Dinner More Fun — You're a Parent Now

Dinnertime is usually an elegant, relaxing affair at my home. Candlelight, real china dishes, several courses of fine French fare, and stimulating, joyous conversation from the whole family.

Oh wait, no — that was a scene from a Merchant Ivory film.

Dinner at my toddler-run household can involve anything from sweet potato gnocchi and frozen chicken nuggets to pointing out different objects and naming them to tears and crying and The Little Mermaid on TV.

I am always down for a few tips to help dinnertime run more smoothly (my latest hit — giving my son two forks so he can stab his food with true pirate gusto), so here are some from real moms and dads. Screen time, burgers, veggies, and creative plating all came up. Also, there's no shame in making dinner a game — whatever you have to do.

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