The idea is to pick less messy foods for the kids.
IE, the wife and I eat spaghetti with meat sauce.
Kid gets plain spaghetti, with perhaps a splash of olive oil for flavor.  No messy red stains.
Oh, and for maximum effect, lose the noodle lashing and go for a leather strap soaked in pickle juice.
I almost said leather thong, but I could see that derailing -way- too fast  for my taste.