Can I make DS eat faster?

[Mung]

I hate mealtimes as it is, but DS (2.1) has a very good way of prolonging them. He finds every possible thing he can do to make it all last about an hour and it drives me mad. He has always been made to stay in his chair and eat, which he does, but he will drop cutlery, laugh at DD, mess around with his water, bang his cutlery, pretend to get down from the chair,...all little things, but it makes meal time horrible. I know he is looking for confrontation and I am better to ignore the behaviour, but he knows that I want him to eat and will give him attention. If he loves the food he is fine, its just when its not his favourite that he messes about a bit. I get to the point where I say, 'have you finished?' and he says 'No' and makes a dive for the plate again.

DD (6 months) is now also starting on solids and I have to give her a bit of atttention, which obviously causes problems.

Is there any way of making him eat faster in these situations, as I know he can?

[lilospell]

I suppose some people would just be delighted that their DCs are eating at all, but appreciate your frustration. What about setting a kitchen timer and give him a sticker if he eats his food in that time? Perhaps divide his meal up and say " see if you can eat this bit in 5 minutes, then you get a sticker"? Then move on to the next bit and set the timer for another 5 minutes? Not sure if child psychologists would agree, btu that's what I would do.

[colditz]

How about over praising the BABY for eating really really nicely?

[bubblagirl]

you could try to ask him to eat dinner properly and set a time dinner finishes and starts also ask him to show his sister how quick and good he can eat as he is a big boy now

apart from this i have no experience in what to do i'm afraid a guess just plenty of praise and encouragement as it sounds to me he is attention seeking so try and make it a possitive thing theres no reason he cant have attention too speak to sister and say see how big your brother is and talk with him also

sometimes distaction is best

[Flibbertybatsgiblets]

when ds started dropping stuff on the floor at mealtimes he had to pick it up himself. Even if it meant a naughty step session in the middle of meals till he got the idea. If he messed with his water we took it away saying 'oh have you finished with that then' and he would soon want it back and drink it nicely.
We find the younger child is the biggest incentive to get the other one to eat. If he acts like he doens't want to eat his food we say 'oh have you finished that, I'll give it to baby then' which usually does the trick.
Like so many other things that people stress about on mumnset, its a phase. It will pass. (Then your dd will start )

[lizziemun]

DD1 started doing this, so i set the minute timer on my cooker for 30 mins and when it goes of she knows anything on her plate she hasn't eaten get taken away and no pudding.

I know this sounds harsh but after it taking an hour and half to 1 slice of ham, half a slice of bread for lunch one day. I only had to this for a week and she now eats her dinner before the 30 mins is up and only gets pudding if she has eaten all her dinner (or a good try if it something new).

[Mung]

I am so worried about taking the plate away as he hardly eats anything. Today it took an hour to eat half a slice of cheese on toast. I am just getting too stressed and I know its not good.

I have tried over praising DD and even gave her some cheese on toast today so i could comment on how well she was eating it. All that happened was that DS gave her some of his. At least we can share, I suppose .

I will give the timer thing a go, perhaps like you suggest Lilospell, then I'll get more tough and just remove things that aren't eaten if that doesn't work.

Thanks for the tips. I can't wait until I have two of them doing the same thing

[NAB3]

Ours always lasted an hour when the kids were younger as they eated so much! I don't get why it is a problem for you and I think if you make an issue out of it you will be on here later saying your child doesn't eat.

[Lorayn]

When my two mess around at dinner, which is rare tbh, they want it too badly! The dinner ges in the bin, simple. If theyre playing they must be finished.

[Mung]

I know NAB3, I keep trying to say that I should just leave him to it, but he is getting gradually worse and messes about much more. I know they are silly little things, but its now such a habit for him that he has gone from eating lots to eating hardly anything. I also know that I am probably not helping the situation and I try so hard to stay calm and positive, but mealtimes just drive me crazy.

[NAB3]

Okay, this is what I would do. Make the next meal very slightly later than normal and make something you know he likes. Do you all eat together? If so, sit down and all eat. Ignore him, chat about the day, and if he messes about say he clearly isn't hungry and take the food away. Meal over. Children are very quick to pick up bad habits but also, imo and ime, are quick to learn new routines and rules. Good luck.

[Mung]

Thanks NAB3

[Lorayn]

I agree with NAB3, but tbh at 2.1 it will take them a while to eat, I didnt notice tha ge, mine are 2.10 and 6.11 and they still take at least 30-45 minutes to eat dinner.
I may encourage that slightly though because as we all eat together its the one time we are all seated and paying each other full attention.