Does your toddler sit at the table for his meals
mrsmina posted on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 10:15
My 2 years old son for sit at the table for few minutes and then run around. He never sits down and has his meals. I have to run around after him to feed him. I was wondering if I should make him sit and eat or should I let him adjust slowly on his own...
At this age you cannot expect a kid to finish all his food sitting at a table. If your son sits and has his meal for few minutes thats a big thing. Just do not force him to be seated after few minutes. Try to attract his attention towards food may be he will slowly increase the time he is at the table.
I remember when my son was 2 he just started sitting with us for dinner on dining table. He started with just taking one or two bites now when he is more than 3 years old he finished almost half his food in one sitting. Now also I cannot expect him to sit and finish all his food sitting at the table.
My son is 22 months old and I have been putting him in high chair for meals since he was 1 year old. But now he resists sitting in the chair and finishing his meals. I do not want to force him. So after he eats for sometime and wants to get down I do put him down and I ask him to eat at intervals.
My son can sit at the dining table for hours. He shows interest in food for first 10-15 mins after that he is least interested. He will just keep one bite in his mouth and sit there. This maybe because I have been asking him to sit and have his meals since he turned to 2. I asked him to be seated till he finishes and the result is he will sit for long time and may even fall asleep there.
Now I am trying to get him out of this habit after 10-15 mins when he started loosing interest I let him get down and roam around and come back and eat at intervals. I am planning to make him sit and eat with short intervals.
I let my son eat as they want. In the beginning they were eating while roaming around. My younger son liked to sit in the balcony and eat. My younger son is 3 few months back he has started sitting with us for meals. So, I will suggest to leave it on your child as he grows up he will do as they see you doing.
May what you say comes true with my son. My son is going to be 3 and I am still waiting when he will sit at one place and eat. I did try this out but it never worked and if I tried to be strict with him he stopped eating. So, I gave up and I am waiting for the time when he at least sees his elder brother and act similarly.
That way my son has been very cooperating
For every meal he sits with me on the dinning table and has his meal but he never finishes his food. After having about half the food he will say he does not want to eat any more. Then if I feel that he needs to eat more I take him around and feed him.
Many parents have toddlers at home who just refuse to sit at the table. And why would they want to, when they have been allowed to roam the house while eating. Your stated goal is to get a good dinner into the toddler and not have the experience be stressful for the parents. Thanks.
Regards,
My nephew who is 2.5 years old just keep running around and food has to be put in his mouth.