Won't go in his sodding highchair - arrghh!

[drjane]

My 18 month ds has been ill with a tummy bug for the last few days, so I've been letting him get away with murder which has included letting him sit on my lap to eat his meals, rather than in his highchair.

What a terrible idea that was, because now he seems to be pretty much better and is refusing point blank to go in his chair - kicking his legs, clinging to me and if I manage to actually get him in, trying to throw himself out again.

I've totally made it worse tonight by telling him that he had to sit in his chair to eat but after a 20 min battle of wills I gave in and let him sit on my lap to eat . I am covered in beans.

What do I do? We're just starting to get this toddler-type willfulness...presumably giving in like I did tonight was a pretty bad idea? Do I just tell him that if he doesn't go in his chair he doesn't eat? I seriously think he wouldn't eat though...help!

Let him kneel up on a proper chair? DD was climbing out from her high chair age 18 months.

My 22 mo ds gs does this occasionally as wants to sit on "big" chair, normally I try to bribe with food ie breadstick while meal is cooling or drawing/looking at book in his highchair. If they are over tired/over hungry it is not good news either, so maybe try to get him to eat before he reaches the point of no return?
Good luck!

I did try that Othersideofthechannel, but he refused to do that either - grrr!

I'd get a booster seat that fits on a chair so that he can sit at the table with you instead. A compromise.

oops gs is a typo, not some new abbreviation! Agree with Otherside, if ds really won't sit in chair I let him eat in big chair (as a last resort as not ideal), at least he won't be on your lap!

Have you tried one of those transportable seats which fit onto a chair?
DS never uses high chair. instead sits on one of these booster seats right up to the table

have you tried taking the tray off the highchair and just pushing it up to the table so it's more like a chair?

Oh, I see that you've tried a big chair already. How about starting off on your lap and then sliding him over once he's started eating? That's worked for me a couple of times.

great minds moshie

I will certainly give that a go moshie - although tonight he went mental when I so much as moved.

Do you not think I should take a firm stance here and insist he goes into his chair tomorrow, lest he conclude that if he screams long enough he can get his mummy to do whatever he wants? Or should I take the path of least resistance and not worry about it?

I would try the taking the tray off or a booster seat but yes make it a firm stance. I would also try giving him a breadstick or something yummy to nibble on and then put him in the chair.

Well personally I was so glad to get rid of the highchair that I see it as a positive move to use a chair at the table, you can still strap them in with a booster, but I see what you mean about not wanting to give in.

Good luck with whatever you decide.