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The Sassy Housewife is weekly advice column on Momaha.com by Danielle Herzog. She’ll cover the adventures in housewifery — from parenting, entertaining and recipes to the interests of a been-there-done-that and somewhat-know-it-all wife. Sassy Housewife runs every Saturday. Have a question for her? Email momaha@owh.com

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Dear Sassy Housewife,

My husband and I are big foodies and love trying all sorts of eclectic foods. We have always shared that love in how we feed our child. However, our daughter just turned 2 and has become such a picky eater! She won’t eat many meats, wants to put ketchup on everything, and has even started throwing her food. What’s happening to our child? She is acting like a maniac.

Louise of Bellevue

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Dear Louise,

Wait… uhm… is it wrong to put ketchup on everything? If so, Houston… we have a problem. I’ve dipped a world beyond French fries into ketchup. However, I’ll admit that I’ve shared your pain of a fussy eater — as I’ve had one of my own.

Don’t worry so much about what she is eating, but rather how she is eating. All kids go through phases of what foods they like and dislike.

You don’t have to rush out and buy vegan products just yet. She might wake up tomorrow and crave a hot dog. You just never know.

Toddlers are fickle creatures. Make sure you have a plan of what to do if she rejects food and starts to throw it.

Speaking of food throwing, I wonder … Is it followed by hysterical laughter and/or crying on your child’s part? If so, you’re being played.

Your daughter has figured out that she can throw a fit when she doesn’t get what she wants. She’s testing your boundaries.

Perhaps, a time-out is needed. She’ll realize throwing dinner around isn’t as much fun if she’s not getting the attention she wants.

Now, what to feed her? Don’t offer too many meal options. One or two offerings is plenty. If she doesn’t immediately eat, try feeding her again in an hour or so. Trust me, no one wants to be a short-order cook.

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Danielle Herzog, a married mother to two, blogs for momaha every Wednesday. She taught middle and high school students and served as a student counseling advisor in the Washington D.C. area prior to moving to Omaha. She was a project manager for the Washington D.C.-area’s Boys and Girls Club and is currently completing her master’s degree in counseling at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

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