Breakfast Struggles

[tenderhearts]

I would still sit him down, offer him a minimal amount and remind him there's more when he finishes and see what happens. Based on your other comment, the first time he starts playing, remind him that the table is for eating, not playing and if he's done he can get up and go play. If he does it again, ask him if he's done. If yes, dismiss him. If not, warn him that he will have to leave the table and his food will be gone if he continues to play. When he starts messing around, tell him "it looks like you're done eating. Let's get you cleaned up and you can go play some more in the play area." That's how I would handle it the first time, to set the precedent that this is how it will go every time. After that, 1 reminder and then he's done.

When he fusses that he's hungry, remind him that he had the chance to eat, but he wanted to play instead so he'll have to try again next meal. It takes a few days, but they get the idea and the conversation about it stops because they know that it's in their control whether or not they remain at the table.

I have a saying, "tables are for eating, not playing." Obviously, they can talk and visit while they eat, but throwing food, kicking each other, etc isn't how we behave once we're a certain age.

Yes I do all this, I have the same rules but literally if i put 2 cherrios in his bowl he will sit and just play with it with his spoon and if I ask him if he's done after sitting there for 5 min not even eating 1 cherrio he will say yes, not eating a thing it's like he just enjoys going and doing it for some reason.

[AmyKidsCo]

I serve the food to everyone...it’s up to them whether they eat or not. I can’t withhold food just because they normally don’t eat it.

Ditto. Everyone is offered the same food at the same time. It's their decision what to eat and how much.

I used to resent throwing away food until I read a comment here that the food was already paid for by the food program, whether it's consumed or not. Since then I don't care if they eat or not, and I think they can sense that because they actually eat better. ::

[Blackcat31]

Ditto. Everyone is offered the same food at the same time. It's their decision what to eat and how much.

I used to resent throwing away food until I read a comment here that the food was already paid for by the food program, whether it's consumed or not. Since then I don't care if they eat or not, and I think they can sense that because they actually eat better. ::

Right?! 99.9% of food battles have nothing to do with food itself and more about control or power.

Once that is removed from the equation, it's amazing how stress free meals/snacks are.

[Alwaysgreener]

Right?! 99.9% of food battles have nothing to do with food itself and more about control or power.

Once that is removed from the equation, it's amazing how stress free meals/snacks are.

I have a school age child that is overly tired in the morning . One morning, I set the tray of cups on the table and the tray of bowls. Everyone grab their bowl and cup and sat down. He sat down and spent the next hour demanding that I pass out his cup and bowl. He is the oldest child that I have, I told him no that he can get it himself. He said the table the whole mealtime plus, his choice, telling me to give him his bowl and cup. He did not eat that morning. (the trays were set closest to him and anybody else, he didn't really even need to get up just stretch his arms and reach his cup and bowl)


The next day I did the same thing and he sat at his chair again but this time when I gave the 10 minute warning, I got up grabbed his bowl and cup and ate as fast as he could.