Mealtimes with your kid are stressful.

Most parents have dealt with the stress of trying to ensure their children eat healthy. There are some tried-and-true approaches (like the division of responsibility by Ellyn Satter), but mealtimes can still be a balancing act. If your mealtimes have become stressful or you would like to shift how you manage them, it makes sense to take a step back and explore what other options you might have to address your current dilemma.

Step in the meta-problem	Illustrative Example
Dilemma The high-level issue you are trying to address	Mealtimes with your kid are stressful.
Goal The change you have decided to make to address the dilemma. There are usually many choices. Selecting the best set is also a meta-problem.	Supporting Goals Less arguing about food. Your kid eats healthy meals. Adults and kids eat the same food.
Problem Space Consider the cluster of adjacent problems that you could solve to deliver the goal.	Options Make some food your kid likes at each meal. Only provide healthy options. Create rules around trying new things. Learn about the best ways to manage mealtimes. Work with your kid to plan meals. Seek professional guidance. Et cetera.
Meta-Problem Which of the many possible options is the best set of problems to solve in order to achieve the goal	Decision Criteria Which problem will best support the goals? Which problem will deliver the best outcome for the least amount of time, effort and money? What have we already tried that hasn't worked? Why?
Implement, Learn and Adapt	Observe and learn as you go. New information may reveal itself as you implement your chosen solution, so check continuously that you’re still solving the right problem