How do I keep my kids at the table during meals?

Question

They are 2 1/2 and almost 4 years old, and I have a hard time making them sit at the table during meals. It drives me crazy that they don't listen.

Thanks to the peole who actually helped. I think part of the problem is with my cancer, they have had a lot of different care givers. I was pregnant with my youngest when I was diagnosed, so this is all she knows. Thanks again to the people with helpful comments.

Answer 1

Explain to them that even if their not hungry, you would like to enjoy their company. Tell them you just want to talk to them at the dinner table, and then they can go play.

Answer 2

Its hard, I have a 4 year old and 3 year old that don't like meal times. Especially my 3 year old. If my children do not eat all of the food on their plate they do not get snacks later in the evening. Instead of fighting with them to eat, if they don't I will cover it up and put it in the refridgerator and save it for when they say "I'm Hungry" Then I will offer it to them again, if they eat it all I will reward them, if not they go to bed hungry. Trust me It takes time but you have to be consistent. When they learn that their tummies are hungry they will eat the meal at the right time or no snacks. It took about a month for them to understand. My 4 year old knows that if she doesnt eat her food she wont ask for snacks. My 3 year old still has trouble but for instance yesterday she didnt touch her lunch. 45 min later she was ready to eat it and finished then got teddy grahams when she was done.

Keys: Be consistent, set ground rules, and Good Luck.

Answer 3

Tell them you're playing the sitting-at-the-table and eating-your-meal game and they can pretend to be different kinds of animal like an elephant or a crocodile or a snake. If they can finish their food and make you laugh (you have to keep a straight face as long as possible) they get a sweet dessert.

Answer 4

i had the same problem then my son told me about how they eat family style at school. It turned out to be great. the food is placed on the table and everyone surves themselves. No one is to start eating until eveyone is served and ready. Then we talk about the day and what things they liked and learned. Giving them soemthing to do helped them feel important and involved. It made dinner like a game. And at the same time brought a little peace to the house

Answer 5

A little smack on the bottom never hurt any child.. I am not advocating child abuse, but you cannot reason with a 2 year old.. if they get up from the table, send them to their room, and nothing to eat later on.. it will be a tough night, but you can break the habit.

Answer 6

Use a reward system, with built-in time limits.
E.G.-"Johnny, if you'll finish your soup in the next (5/few) minutes,
I'll let you watch the cartoon you asked me about." If not-no reward, no giving in.
Also, be consistent (follow through on punishments/rewards) and
don't EVER allow them to leave the table without permission!

Answer 7

They ARE old enough to understand -- you leave, you are done!!

Bet they eat their next meal and don't worry, they will not get sick nor get hurt by skipping a meal or two. But you MUST be consistant - do not bend, or they win. Every adult must be in agreement with this - it will not work if Mom says you are done and Dad says "its ok, come on back".

Answer 8

a number of those are customary young ones issues. Ie. the can not take a seat nevertheless take a seat interior the chair stuff. I defined to mine in the event that they ever desire to circulate out to dinner at a resturant then they might desire to check perfect table manners. I taught them to apply a knife and fork correct. in the event that they start up with there arms I remind them of their fork. speaking in the time of the meal? this might desire to be inspired. there is not something greater effective than a family that sits and talks. As for eating from the sauce bottle. user-friendly .,..do this, no sauce for each week. At 7 he might desire to have the skill to eat without getting it everywhere. Push him top up toi the table so he eats over his plate. this will additionally supply up him delivering his seat. tell your 4 year previous to circulate to the lavatory in the previous tea and clarify that till his nutrition is long gone he won't be getting up. If he does his nutrition will circulate interior the bin and he won't get greater. As for licking the plate, it quite is disgusting, canines lick their dinner bowls not young ones. tell them in the event that they are going to act like canines then you extremely will cope with them like one and that they are able to take a seat down on the floor to eat. I did this as quickly as because of the fact my son grew to become into ingesting like an animal. on no account returned did he eat like that. ( nutrition on a plate of direction yet in simple terms not on the table) as quickly as they grasp stable manners on the table reward them by using speaking them to a resturant. Take colouring books and issues for them to do whilst they look ahead to nutrition as they are little and could not take a seat nevertheless for too long and as quickly as you have finished then circulate away. you may not assume them to take a seat down for hours yet they might desire to be rewarded for their stable manners. and it is likewise stable for once you circulate to different peoples places. clarify to them that it makes you so proud in the event that they have been to have manners as you may desire to instruct everybody how impressive they are

Answer 9

We had to start telling them that if they got up they are finished, end of story no arguements

Answer 10

i have that same problem with my 1 year old and i still dont know what to do i have tried high chairs but she cries and cries so i dont know