kalebsmama
01-07-2005, 11:37 PM
We are having a struggle with DS at mealtimes. He doesn't want to come to the table, and then when there will eat a bite or two and then get down. DH expects him to sit there and eat until the meal is over. I have to remind him that even his older sons would only sit at the table long enough to shovel the food in when they were 10-14 yrs old! (my stepsons are now 19 & 21 - they sit longer now!) I don't want to force DS to eat - I know that you offer the food and they decide what and how much to eat. But at the same time, I know that he isn't full, he just wants to control the situation and act out because he knows that it bothers us. Also, 20 minutes later he is asking for cookies, crackers etc.
We have been leaving his dinner on the table and when he asks for a cookie, tell him that he can finish his dinner if he's hungry. Still, that doesn't really solve the problem. We want him to eat at dinner time, not when he decides that he's ready. He also uses this as an excuse to delay bedtime. When it's time for his bath he starts in on the "I want to finish my dinner" routine! And you hate to send them to bed hungry!
So, what is reasonable to expect at this age? (he's almost 3) And then how do you enforce it? We have told him that if he doesn't sit still he will be sent to his room etc. Nothing seems to work.
BTW, he sits in a Kinderzeat and can undo the buckles. I'm tempted sometimes to buckle him back into a highchair!!
TIA!!
We have been leaving his dinner on the table and when he asks for a cookie, tell him that he can finish his dinner if he's hungry. Still, that doesn't really solve the problem. We want him to eat at dinner time, not when he decides that he's ready. He also uses this as an excuse to delay bedtime. When it's time for his bath he starts in on the "I want to finish my dinner" routine! And you hate to send them to bed hungry!
So, what is reasonable to expect at this age? (he's almost 3) And then how do you enforce it? We have told him that if he doesn't sit still he will be sent to his room etc. Nothing seems to work.
BTW, he sits in a Kinderzeat and can undo the buckles. I'm tempted sometimes to buckle him back into a highchair!!
TIA!!