You've given your best for the day and are still excited about returning home to see your brood but looming over you is the trauma that can often be connected with mealtimes!

As a mother of four and a full time teacher there is no time to step out of role! Instructions and guidelines are needed at mealtimes with the same degree of importance as the rest of the structure of the day.

A concern to fill your children with the very best food to ensure their brain is growing and functioning to its maximum are concerns for today's parents. In our house, our children have been trained to know what is expected of them at mealtime and yet still reminders need giving and that's my job as a mother of course.

It's only because I want the best for them, so any assistance is useful! The remarkable difference of the dangling carrot of a reward chart is such a useful tool. Three of my children are 5 and and one is 9 and after only one reminder will comply with the mealtime routine if they know they are one step closer to a full chart. With Miles or Skyler to cheer them on, they actually want to use their knife and fork, ask to get down and eat all their iron filled spinach!

Mealtimes as a family are so important on so many levels. As well as a natural end to the day and a time of reflection on the day's best bits, it's also a time to wind down, re-group and get ready for a restful night replenishing the much needed sleep.

When children have had a busy day at school, a decent meal, a bath and story, they are indeed ready for the night. So many studies have shown how essential it is to have a strict routine for your children; it makes them feel safe. Speaking from experience, it is of benefit to the whole family.

The charts themselves allow you to pick your battles and concentrate and reward the good behavior. Children want to please you and succeed, if it means the difference between a restful and calm start to the evening and a sticker is all it takes, Iím all for it.