food throwing - olympic standard - any advice?

[twosquared]

hiya!

my 15 month old twins like nothing better than throwing their food. i'm sure they egg each other on....

i don't replace anything they've thrown, i tell them in a very stern voice that they're being naughty and i praise them when they're eating nicely.

the amount they throw means that they have very short naps as they're waking up hungry (and thus driving me nuts while i'm trying to take care of my newborn twins).

any suggestions on how to deal with this?

thanks

[mamama]

It's just a phase. They all go through it. Let them eat as much as they want. When throwing happens more than eating, take the food away. Give them plenty to eat throughout the day.

I'm not a fan of telling kids they're naughty and, with my DS, if I reacted in any way to the food throwing, he did it more, so I had to ignore it and just praise all the eating, like you do.

It's messy but it does get better.

Eventually.

[glamourbadger]

Hi twosquared

My 15 monthers do exactly the same - I'm fed up with sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor 3 x a day! It also seems like such a waste of good food, I often sweep up a whole meal.

I don't think there is much you can do. I tell mine it's unacceptable and if they do it again I remove the food. Has made no difference so far so I guess it's just "another phase" to enjoy . I find offering just a small amount at a time and eating the same food enthusiastically in front of them helps (I deserve and Oscar for my faux enjoyment of peas).

Re naps - are getting too much daytime sleep? I've recently reduced my girl's sleep time to one 2 hour nap at midday. They go to bed really tired and it gives me a useful break to sort out other things.

[glamourbadger]

Hi twosquared

I've been experimenting with my two this week and discovered that completely ignoring their food throwing is to date the most effective solution. DT1 seems quite taken aback, she throws something then watches me for a reaction. When there is none she tries again - then gives up and carries on eating. I guess I have been telling her off and that's what she's expecting. Interesting - will see if it improves....