At what age can one expect kids to sit through an hour long dinner?

Question

My husband seems to expect our 3 and 5 year old boys to sit quietly through family dinners and not fidget, I say it is unreasonable to ask children of that age to sit quietly for an hour. They are very busy kids to begin with.

Answer 1

I don't think kids will ever want to sit down quietly through hour long family dinners. Your kids are pretty young and since you said they're very busy kids, they probably become restless easily. I'm sure as they grow older and reach the age of reason they'll be able to sit through family dinners.

Answer 2

At their ages, they don't understand the concept of sitting still for that long period of time. Especially if they are busy kids to start with. Explain to your husband that you know he wants the family to have a quiet dinner but there is no way that your two children are going to sit there and be quiet and not fidget. See if there is a compromise that you two can come up with together. Maybe try a 20 minute dinner and then if the kids start to fidget or become loud, let the children be excused and have them go play in their room and you and your husband enjoy the rest of your meal. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Tell your husband that you are right,I have six children and not one of them was expected to sit still like that until they were at least 8. Children have no interest in adult conversation at their young age so what they are doing is quite normal. If this annoys your husband then either let him go alone, ask him what he did at 3 and 5, or tell him that your boys will not sit for an hour at that age and be firm about it. Either way if the dinner is held at your home ask the boys to excuse themselves when they are done
and then go play in another room away from the adults. If the dinner is away from your home as the host if it is alright to bring activities for your children to keep them busy while the adults talk or arrange a table for the children off to the side of the adults so they can eat in their own time. A kid menu is helpful in the event that they don't like the adult menu also
because hungry kids do get cranky so if they cannot be accomodated then bring an additional snack for them. Good Luck.

Answer 4

I know my 6 and 4 year olds can't sit still for even 10 minutes. My husband is the same way, he expects them to sit through dinners and I just tell him it ain't gonna happen and I'm sure he didn't sit very long when he was their age!!! I would say about 8-10 years old. By then they should understand enough to sit through dinner quietly.

Answer 5

VERY unreasonable. 5 is getting closer, for I think 7 is a good age, but an hour of sitting with no break at all, is tough even on some adults. Your husband is being unreasonable. If you want to work towards that goal, however, I would suggest starting practice sessions at home.

Answer 6

It is very unreasonable to expect a 5yr old to sit for that long without figeting..I found that when my daughter reached the age of 9 she became more at ease sitting at the table for longer periods of time..heck i don't even like to sit at the dinner table for more than about 30 minutes and i am 33yrs old..LOL..

Answer 7

26

Answer 8

I have 14 nieces and nephes all ages 1 years old to 10

I'd say 3 is a good age, get them toys to play with, something to keep them busy. Thats why resturants have kid menus with crayons.

Me my mom bought me a little lego set and id put it together during dinner and then play with it by the time we got the check.

Just make sure its a place where they offer a good kids menu.

Answer 9

Your husband is going to have to understand that most adults can't even sit still for a long period of time. I have 2 children myself and to get both of them to sit still at the same time is imposable. Good Luck

Answer 10

Tell your husband to just be patient. Children develop in their own time, not ours. Plus the more pressure he puts on them to adhere to his temperament for dinner the harder it will be for them to grasp what he wants them to do. They'll likely fidget more and be at a greater discomfort trying to make sure they're not doing anything wrong instead of enjoying their meal and the setting he is looking for them to appreciate.