My two year makes a mess when he eats. Any advice?

Answer 1

Yes, he is a two year old, they all make messes. Let him be a child and explore things and have fun, messes are always going to be part of your life now that you have a child.

Answer 2

Clean it up- for goodness sake- your child has never had to feed himself before and holding a spoon or fork has to be a very strange feeling for him. The mess I'm sure is because he is trying very hard to get it into his mouth. You should be proud that he is that determined!

On the other hand if he is throwing food around- give him a couple chances of you telling him no sternly and then remove him from the area for no more than his age (2 minutes) and then try again. Raising a child is not easy. You have to introduce him to all of these new things in the world including manners.

I'm a preschool teacher for two year olds and three year olds. Let me tell you- even the school age kids are still spilling their milk all over the floor.

I know it's not easy to hear- I have my days when I don't want to give my son anything messy to eat just because I feel to lazy to clean it up. Have patience- step back and really see why the mess is happening and maybe you can teach him a new trick.

advice- scoot him close to the plate- tell him to take smallbites, and have a designated spot for his milk cup to always go so he doesn't accidentally knock it off the table.

Answer 3

If your child is not using a spoon - try that. It will help a little. I just make sure my child is eating in a highchair with a tray and a bib on (and I use the art smocks that have sleeves). Never have carpet under where they are eating. Have a broom and dustpan handy. I keep generic baby wipes on the kitchen table and clean my children off before I let them out of their chairs.

My 4 year old can be pretty messy at times but mostly my 2 year old makes the most mess. It is normal and it will get better when they have better control of their bodies and as they get older. Be patient, it won't last forever.

Answer 4

Let him make a mess. My son is almost three and still has yet to master the art of eating without feeding his hair, clothes, the table, or the floor. To protect his clothes, I have begun using mitten clips to fasten a washcloth or handtowel around his neck to help keep his shirt front clean. I also have an "Eat Sheet", which I place on the floor under his seat when he eats. This way any food that drops on the floor can easily be cleaned up without a huge mess. Old towels and shower curtains work well for this purpose as well.

Try giving your toddler finger foods. They tend to make less mess when using their hands. Just be sure to keep plenty of napkins on hand.

Answer 5

I believe if you don't set up rules from the beginning, you may have a bad-behavior child. I don't let my children make a lot of mess intentionally (of course a little is ok because they can't control it because of the age). I ask them to stop and tell them that I will give one more chance before taking the food they are playing with away. If they insist, I take the food away. Nowadays, because they know I do what I say, they stop as soon as I ask them so. It works, but you need to be consistent.

Answer 6

my two year old(who will be three next month)still makes a big mess when he eats. its not as bad as it use to be. I think you just have to wait for them to grow out of it. A lot of times i can reason with him, but I've tried many things and nothing seems to work. Some kids are just messy eaters.

Answer 7

My advise is to wait until he's through eating and then clean up afterward. All two year olds make a mess when they eat. What do you expect?

Answer 8

I think it's funny and cute to watch them though, isn't it? Anyways, just lay a vinyl tablecloth under the high chair where he eats, then shake off and wash. Same with child :) He'll get the hang of it pretty soon. I know a lady who hates messes so will not let her child feed herself! How will she ever learn to do it and also not be dependent so much on mom?

Answer 9

I bought some cheap table clothes and I put one under the table to help with the floor mess. Then I always take clothes of and together we made a table mat that protects the table. Patience and always offer the fork and spoon. Believe me I understand what you mean. Sometimes I think I work harder at home then I do at work, LOL. Good luck.

Answer 10

All two year olds make messes. Put down some newspaper or a mate, strip him down to his pamper and let him go for what he knows. Take some pictures of him eating you will laugh about it later.