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Is this an every night kind of thing or just tonight? If so what foods does she usually prefer/reject?

We let our son try eating dinner again right before bed. Otherwise he doesn't get anything else. Sometimes I will over a fruit or vegetable as well.

My LO is a pretty good eater but I think she would probably reject tortilla soup...she doesn't like strongly seasoned food...especially soup and especially soup that is tomato based. At 24 months she is tolerating spices better but at 18 months she definitely preferred clear broth soups, mildly seasoned meats, etc.

Our pediatrician says to offer a variety at meals and include at least one item you know they like. I offer a protein, a veggie, a fruit and a carb...and always include 1-2 things I know she likes...and sometimes that means she loves new stuff and other times she's not a fan after taking a few bites. Our pediatrician says it's important to keep offering bc it takes them awhile to get used to new foods sometimes...and I've found that to definitely be true. She refuses brussel sprouts for months and at 24 months she will eat them...I think part of it is their palate develops and they get used to seeing different foods...it really helps her seeing us enjoy eating something

What I plan to do is give LO options to eat for dinner. I'm not a short order cook, so it would be more like: you can choose from what we are having, left overs from last night, or this smorgasbord of veggies, protein, carb etc. Or maybe you compromise and have her try what you're eating regardless of if you make her a dinner alternative.

Some parents want to stand firm, on what I make the family eats, and it can work. I just think when I or my husband cook it's usually what we are in the mood to eat or enjoy eating. I'd like my children to have somewhat of a choice in what they eat. To be clear, I'm not suggesting feeding your kid McDonald's or chicken nuggets every night, but just an alternative healthy meal that doesn't require much effort to prepare or is already prepared.

This is something that I'm going through with my 22 month old. He use to be the BEST eater, he would try anything you put in front of him, but he is starting to get super picky. I have decided that I would rather have him eat, then go hungry (though I'm probably alone on this). DD is 3.5 years old, and she was way worse, she wouldn't eat anything besides mac n' cheese! Now, though, I can tell her that she has to try 3 bites of everything on her plate and then if she still hates it we can think of something else for her to eat. DS does not get that concept yet, but it works great for DD and she has discovered she likes some food she initially turned her nose up to. I agree, I am not a short order cook, and I will not make four separate meals, but I feel like 22 months is too young to say "if you don't eat this you will go hungry" because he doesn't get the concept of the future and he is starting to flex his independent muscles.

Dinner is the meal 18 month old DS eats the worst at. I try to make extra lunch and offer that if dinner doesn't get eaten but I often give him a veg/fruit/quinoa pouch afterwards.

We're sticklers for mealtime. If she says all done and hands us her bowl or plate, she's done for the night. She has figured out that even if she asks for more food after dinner, she doesn't get it. At this age, there's no reasoning so it's all or nothing for us.

@BabyBoecksMom: That's a great idea! I will keep this in mind for later on. Thanks!