My mother-in-law thinks that she is an expert on children because she taught school. I am really getting tired of her telling me what every behavior means and how to parent. How can I kindly get her to back off?

The art of parenting is passed from one generation to another as part of the family's oral history. You aren't aware that you're in Parenting 101 when you listen to your parents' stories about you as you were growing up.

While your mother-in-law's annoying attention may not seem loving, it is unlikely she would bother if she didn't care deeply about all of you. Talk with your husband about how to best manage this frustration.

Getting advice from someone who has interacted with lots of children has benefits. Your mother-in-law has seen many children grow up and knows about individual differences and about indicators of potential issues.

Because you found her son to be an attractive mate and good father material, it might be difficult to challenge her parenting ideas. Be patient and listen. You don't have to act on her recommendations, and she might have some valuable suggestions based on her experience.

Before she turned a year old, my daughter was eating a good variety of vegetables. Now she's a typical toddler who won't eat most vegetables. What happened?

The key is in your description of your daughter as a typical toddler who's becoming a finicky eater. As infants mature, their taste buds become more sensitive.

Avoid struggling over food. Set a good example by eating a variety of healthful foods. Try well-washed and peeled uncooked vegetables. Try dipping veggies in yogurt. Or use veggie strips to scoop foods like mashed potatoes.

Offer a variety of foods. Keep her away from high-fat or sugar-laced treats so she will have a big appetite at meals. In time she will expand her preferences.

Have a parenting question? Call the Family Support Line, 303-695-7996 or 1-877-695-7996, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Family Support Line is a program of Families First, sponsored in part by the Rocky Mountain News.