Turns out most kids are fussy eaters

What? you gasp, children are often fussy about food? No! Well, yes. I know, it's obvious, but as a parent, I have a hard time knowing what is "normal" and what is just my kid. I always assume because we had some really extreme eating-related issues during Amelia's early years with the allergies and reflux that she is a particularly picky eater.

But the more I talk to other parents, the more I see that she may be somewhere in the picky side of things but she's definitely not alone.

My friend Lise was here yesterday with her totally flexible, good-natured four-year-old Caralena. The kid had been traveling for days but was still super cheerful and well-mannered. No tantrums. No talking back. Awesome kid. But I digress.

Her mom told me that the list of foods that Caralena eats is probably only a tad bit longer than Amelia's. I was definitely surprised. In my mind I'm imaging households of children spooning up spicy red sauce or sushi or lobster or duck a l'orange (is that a dish?), and that we're the only ones stuck in a "kid meal" rut. So, Caralena, thanks for being such a cute guest and for helping me see that having an adventurous eater is the exception, not the rule.