Child suddenly dicking around at mealtimes.

[Sparrowlegs248]

Dc1 is 4. Started school in Sept. Eats well, has always been good at the table (apart from when stbxh - his dad - is there)

The last few weeks though, he's been driving me up the wall with messing around at meal times. "Playing" instead of eating. With a narrative usually. More recently, playing about with the food. Today gently scraping the mashed potato with his fork so he gets the tiniest amount on the fork. One pea at a time. His little brother has finished the same meal, plus a yogurt, and fruit and has been sitting for 5 minutes while dc1 has half his meal left.

I'm inclined to give him 5 minutes and remove. I'm sure he won't starve.

How do others deal with this? It's a new one on me.

I don't think I've given an accurate description of how bloody annoying this is.

He does it regardless of what it is. With his favourite food and at every single meal time.

Take it away. Cover it with foil or something. When he wants to eat it, he can come back.