Dear Southwest: I feel very sorry for that child. She's going to have a hard time in life. It sounds as if her parents have been educated beyond their intelligence.
AD FEEDBACK
The permissive approach to childrearing went out with the hula-hoop.
If Maggie wants to visit again, tell her what the rules are in advance.
Also, line up some children her age, and let THEM decide what they'd like to do. Appropriate movies and sports events and a boy-girl party would be better than hanging out with grandparents. Try it next year. I'll bet it works. And P.S.: Don't say a word about her eating habits. If she doesn't eat what is placed before her, simply remove her plate. Let her know where the food is and how the oven works, and tell her she can make what she likes.