Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Flip

Original poster

Keeping a just turned 2 year old entertained at the table on Christmas Day

15 replies

Confuseddotcomsmum · 30/10/2017 06:59

Just wondered if anyone has any good ideas to keep a two year old who doesn't eat much at the table for longer than ten minutes on Christmas Day..it would be nice to sit a bit longer with everyone! Thank you.

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 30/10/2017 07:01

Set up a corner of the room with toys and let them play there when they've finished eating.

BikeRunSki · 30/10/2017 07:02

Colouring would have worked for my DD, but not my DS.
Wind up toys - we have some racing Santas that came out of a cracker a few years ago.

Does she have to be at the table? Could she play by herself nearby?

Believeitornot · 30/10/2017 07:03

It’s Christmas. Let them get down and play.

Athrawes · 30/10/2017 07:03

Don’t. Xmas is about the kids, let her play and be played with. Have the adults take turns to play with her, fueled with gin (adults not the kid).

Allthepinkunicorns · 30/10/2017 07:04

I let my ds go and play once he had had enough of his dinner so I and everyone else could enjoy our dinner in peace. I wouldn't expect a 2 year old to sit for long especially when they have lots of new things to explore and play with.

trilbydoll · 30/10/2017 07:05

Someone bought DD a noisy peppa pig book when she was 20mo and she happily sat at the table for ages with it.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 30/10/2017 07:11

I'd rather let them go and play than have Peppa honking away at the table!

AnnaBay · 30/10/2017 07:34

Let them eat and then go and play.
Like pp above, I wouldn't expect a 2 year to sit through a potentially long, drawn out meal.

MuddlingThroughLife · 30/10/2017 08:38

Christmas is the only day of the year I used to let my kids get away with not eating their veg and leaving the table before everyone else. They are now 16, 13 and 10 so not an issue any more (apart from the sprouts lol).

mouldycheesefan · 30/10/2017 08:43

Yes when ours were 2 we had dinner in the evening after they went to bed. A lovely sophisticated adults meal without high chairs and toddlers chucking food or needing supervision. At that age kids don't care about Christmas dinner there are plenty of other aspects of Xmas that are for children. Our children started having Christmas dinner with us age 4. They love Christmas dinner now!

NerrSnerr · 30/10/2017 08:46

If they have to sit up the table would stickers work? If not I’d let them play nearby.

Brighteyes27 · 30/10/2017 09:01

To be fair my two have always been pretty good at sitting at the table they do this at home and as we have no sitters they are used to going out for meals and sitting at the table. We talk and include them and if others are there they love the attention.
My DD was flower girl at 22 months old and I had no expectations but thought the worst but was was astounded by her. She had a cuddle in church and slept in my arms through a very long service. She was fine at the reception even though the food took forever to be served. She ate soup herself (she has always been very independent) and was so hungry polished off much of her child’s main course. Had one trip to the loo but she was more than happy to be at the table for the duration of the meal and speeches. I took mini snacks (which didn’t last long) and had various mini toys and books just incase she or her slightly older brother got bored but they were both great. Your daughter might surprise you. Especially as it’s christmas and everyone should be focusing on her for much of the time. Failing that if she is a fidget let her play nearby. Try not to stress beforehand (as I did before the Christmas wedding).

KC225 · 30/10/2017 09:05

Agree with the others, at that age my twins were full on wriggling dynamos. I'd let them have a run about between courses. Have what ever they are into at the table perhaps wrapped in tissue paper. stickers, colouring. Anything small and non messy just the keep them amused. It for easier as they got older. For a few years they were obsessed with Christmas crackers.

Original poster

Confuseddotcomsmum · 30/10/2017 17:48

Thanks for everyone's replies, certainly gives me food for thought! Wrapping a few bits up for her to unwrap at the table will help but I guess after that, the majority of you are right saying let her down from the table. I suppose I am just perhaps thinking of the older members of the family who may think they should sit and not be heard! . Although to be fair that is probably doing them a disservice!

OP posts:

whimsical1975 · 30/10/2017 19:20

The only thing that keeps my little 2 year old niece at the table is letting her watch Peppa Pig or similar on YouTube on one of our mobiles once she's finished eating. My own DC's used to play with play doh (now 10 and 12) and that kept them busy for quite a while.

Flip