how do you discipline your toddler at the dinner table?

Answer 1

What is s/he doing? My daughter has always had a lot of energy and will to this day not be able to make it through a whole meal without getting up at least once. Be patient and try games to make meal time fun. Make sure s/he is included in the dinner and not just sitting there while everyone else talks. I saw this on one of those Nanny 911 shows too and the child would keep leaving the table and have a fit at the table. She had the parents ignore the bad behavior until it stopped because it wasn't getting the desired result (mom & dad's attention). Every time the child left the table, she had the parent go pick up the child and return them to the table with instructions that it was time to eat. She also refused to let the parents give the child food later at night when the child was hungry so next time he knew he had better eat or go hungry.

Answer 2

What prompts the need for discipline at the dinner table?

It is so important in dealing with kids to be realistic about what they are phyiscally and mentally capable of. Very verbal children get put under tremendous pressure far too young to be ahead of where they really are, because they 'sound' mature.

The best way to teach table manners to a toddler is to use them. Your children are watching and imitating you, as you well know. You can say things like, "Remember, we do this...." or "The polite thing to do here is ...."

I found it very instructive when I toured George Washington's home and learned that colonial Americans (of a certain class, I assume) did not allow children to join the adult table until they were fourteen! It makes a lot of sense to adopt the understanding their rule displays - kids are not capable of being miniature adults at the table.

If a child does something egregiously child like at dinner, you say - "I need to put you down from the table now so that I can eat." And change your expectations of dinner time.

The last thing you want to do is make dinner a tense, inhibiting time - this is a time for the family relaxing together and sharing. If the experience at the dinner table is constant pressure to get a toddler to act like an elementary school kid, dinner is ruined for everyone and doesn't get to become a time the family looks forward to.

As every wise experience parent counsels - have very few rules and stick to them religiously and choose your battles. there is no one who can conduct a power struggle like a toddler and every single time a parent enters into that powe struggle, they've already lost by agreeing to struggle.

Answer 3

What is it that your toddler does that needs discipline? You are not specific enough.

Meal time should be an enjoyable time, and should not be connected with discipline. A toddler usually only aims to please, accidents like spilled milk should never be disciplined they are accidents, you may spill something yourself.

Children learn especially a toddler by watching adults, don't make a big deal out of every little thing that he/she does.

This questions is difficult to answer without more information as you can tell I am speculating what the problems are, and may be way off the mark.

I know that discipline at mealtime can cause the child to refuse to take part in the meal altogether because he only remembers the discipline of the last meal.

Answer 4

Why do we expect children to behave like adults?

Toddlers are not good eaters at the dinner table. Ignore as much as you can and leave the table yourself if it is too awful. But really, toddlers are not mentally equipped to be perfect at dinner time.

Fighting about food entertains children and destroys parents. Don't bother. They will eat properly when they are older. Relax and you might find that much of it is not actually that bad.

Answer 5

I have my girls sit quietly and " focus" on eating. If they start playing with there food or goofing off, I have them be excused from the table and they loose dessert privilege's. They can leave the plate on the table and come back to eating when they calm down.But they still loose dessert for that night.

Answer 6

The same way I would if he wasn't at the dinner table. Teach him manners, make him sit and eat like the rest of us. If he gets in big trouble, he goes to his room.

Answer 7

You must show that you are dominant. Ignore it, do not cater to it's need for attention. When the child realizes you are not deigning to recognize it's bad behavior it will change tactics. This is when you must show dominance by firmly pressing two fingers into the side of their neck. This small gesture, which they cannot duplicate, will show your dominance. When they come to undertsnad you are the dominant one, they will do whatever you say. This is when you may choose to reward their sincere good behavior with a treat.

Answer 8

Depends on what they're doing wrong but usually give them a warning and if they continue then they get a spanking.

Answer 9

Make him/her eat veggies.