this is important to me. you are too, and i will have time for you in a minute.” or, “i know it’s hard to share me, but i love daddy, too and need to talk to him for a minute. please wait.” so next time your child is cranky for apparently no reason, try to look at the situation from their perspective for a moment. it might be very revealing. also, if it's close to meal time, give them an appetizer, something healthy and light that is enough to hold them over to dinner but not heavy enough to fill them up. the sight or smell of food may be 