DS has recently developed a cheeky side which involves watching us for a reaction while dropping food on the floor. It only seems to be a problem at lunch time. We were tearing our hair out trying to communicate that this isn't behaviour we want. 'No' or 'Stop' at any volume & using any tone of voice produced giggles. He's clearly capable of feeding himself & has a tantrum if we take the food away.
Recently I've been struggling with exhaustion, nausea & dizziness due to pregnancy so took to giving him a sandwich & lying on the sofa in the room next door while he ate it. He eats the whole sandwich with lots of appreciative 'nom'ing & no fuss/mess & calls out when he's finished. It takes all the stress out of the mealtime for everyone.
DH seems to think I shouldn't be leaving him alone but I can't see the problem given that I'm just in the next room & listening to his loud eating & check on him if he goes quiet. DH deals with lunchtimes on the weekends & still has the same problems. Personally I feel that telling him no/stop is currently an ineffective method of discipline as he thinks it's funny but I've discovered that turning my back when he's not behaving appropriately is much more effective as it's the attention he's after.
AIBU to just let him get on with it at lunch times or should I be persisting in trying to get him to stop being silly?
Disclaimer: I realise the above makes me sound like a strict disciplinarian but I'm really not! I know he's only one but we feel it's important for him to have boundaries that he can learn to understand. This is the only issue we have any need to try to correct at the moment, other than some deliberate kicking during nappy changes! He's the perfect child in all other respects! 