Although he’s much better than he was, we continue to struggle to get our youngest to eat enough at mealtimes. You would think that a contest that has two adults on one side and one 4-year old on the other would be a bit one-sided.

Unfortunately, the little guy has a surprisingly deep arsenal of distractions and excuses.

A few weeks ago, as dinner ended, the little guy’s eyes suddenly widened. “Oop! I have to go potty! I have to go potty!”

His momma didn’t even look up from her plate. “Finish your chicken first.”

“But I have to go potty!”

“Um, momma?” I asked.

Ignoring me, she raised her head and looked at him. “Finish your chicken first.”

He picked up a piece of chicken and laughed. “Okay, momma. Okay.”

Phew. That’s one bluff I never would have called.