The youngest, who is now three years old, loves to put her glass of milk right at the edge of the table. Every night. Especially when it's full. I don't know what it is -she likes to live dangerously I guess. I sometimes remind her to move her glass away from the edge and she complies. Sometimes I do it for her (bad idea MOM, you have a newly minted three year old who takes great offense at others doing stuff for her) but in that scenario she typically moves it right back to the edge. Doesn't take a genius to realize that a glass of milk at the end of the table, where the elbow, fork, napkin all like to reside, will sometimes wind up in a puddle on the floor.
TRY THIS: "Hey baby bird," this is her new moniker as she's decided she is of the avian species, "Looks like you spilled your milk again. Go grab the towel from the kitchen and clean it up."
NOT THAT: "Oh baby bird, you spilled your milk again. I guess you are not ready for the big girl cup (big sigh). Now I have to clean up this mess, again (another big sigh)"
WHY: Beginning at two years of age, a child is perfectly able to clean up his or her own messes. And the natural bi-product is that they are learning about the consequences of their actions. Granted, you will likely have to touch up their "clean-up" but it's better than mumbling under your breath while you clean up their mess as they continue to eat their dinner as if nothing happened.
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