Our little girls are pretty good. We have left food and they have not bothered it. But...also like kyded, we leave the food down for them 24/7. If they are hungry they go and eat. They are not over weight in any way either. However they do know that after we eat dinner, there is usually a small sampling of dinner for them. I guess its a small dinner treat. And thanks everyone for sharing your stories, they have been very entertaining with my coffee this morning.