How do you handle a picky eater without turning every meal into a battle?

Separate the roles clearly: you decide what is offered and when, the child decides whether and how much to eat. This removes the power struggle that drives most mealtime conflict. Practical measures: offer the family meal with at least one item the child reliably accepts, avoid becoming a short-order cook, keep portions small so the plate is not intimidating, and end the meal without commentary. Do not offer alternative food an hour later, since that teaches waiting. Picky eating peaks around two to four and improves for most children, provided it has not become a battleground.