Aleteia – Zrinka Peters
I remember a few lowlights of childhood when my mother made me sit at our kitchen counter in front of my despised bowl of oatmeal until either the mushy substance disappeared or it was time for lunch. Since we were both strong-willed, the showdown sometimes lasted for hours. My husband and I have endured some pretty miserable meal times in our home, too. Dinners that began with high hopes of warm family togetherness have ended with tears, anxiety, and frustration. There have been lots of meals where the food I put effort into preparing sat cold and neglected on plates; meals complete with whining, crying, time-outs, and plenty of non-eating; dinners where I’ve dreaded sitting down because I knew the chances of actually enjoying my food were slim to none. (more)