SO IS there such a thing as a toddler who will sit and eat a meal nicely?

[madamez]

Without kicking, squirming, banging cutlery on table, finging cutlerey on floor, dabbing at your leg with sauce-covered fingers, demanding more food when there's still plenyt on the plate (and you know the excess won't be eaten), singing, bouncing, taking FOREVER to eat one sandwich yet refusing to let you remove the plate.....

Or am I just having a bad day?

I think it may be a myth.

it's definitely not the one living with me! .
My 26 month old is exactly like yours..and his older brother wasn't any different at that age either!

I have one. Well 99% of the time.
Sorry.

I think you must have my ds (It's ok I don't want him back you can keep him )

Not in my house unfortunately

My DS is 11 and still gets food in his hair at mealtimes!

Sorry, thats not much consolation for you is it?

depends on his mood in my house - and how hungry he is! I think it goes with the territory - table manners aren't a big proirity for 2 year olds - we live in hope that it improves....

Aaah, feeling a bit better now. I was beginning to wonder if it was because my own table manners aren't, erm, ladylike (the first time I had spare ribs I ended up with barbecue sauce in my ears, fringe, nostrils and all over my jumper. I was 25 at the time) that DS (aged 2.11) is such a beast. ANd then I remember his father's table manners are worse.

Oh well. Perhaps we'll improve with age.

michaelad
That is only because he loves his food and is only just 2 and 2 months.

Hmm Madame - I know it is a pain but I think they copy us so much that you might want to improve yours so you set a good example?? Sorry to sound annoying but we are meant to model good behaviour to them and all that!

Mind you I bet you don't throw your cutlery on the floor!

Not in this house either! My DD is 4.5 now and it has not improved one iota.

Yes. Dd has exemplary table manners! She is perfect at the table (sadly not elsewhere). [preen]

Well I've taken the approach of 'so long as (good) food is going in, then at this point in time I'm not too concerned about the style or technique by which it is occuring'.

I think I'll address perfecting table manners at a later date (tbc).