Single mum - 3dc aged 1,3 &5 - Civil mealtimes?

[LeepyTime]

As a newly single mum, with 3 children aged 1,3 and 5, has anyone any ideas for how to have a civilized 'conversation' at mealtimes so that it isn't just 'eat that', 'back in yer seat' 'stop saying poo' etc.??

I know the ideal is that dinner time is a time for children to pick up social skills like disagreeing with someone without falling out (stolen from 'Home Comforts'), talking about the world etc. but as it is just me, it just ends up being a battleground as described above. Has anyone any ideas?
I know they are too young to discuss Socrates at this stage, but just something to lift the focus off the food, and raise the bar a bit? At least if there are 2 adults, they can attempt to have a conversation above the 'eat your dinner' backdrop. But as the only adult there, has anyone any ideas that could help? I want them to see dinnertime as a pleasurable experience and a time for exchanging ideas, not just about getting food into them!

Thanks in advance!!

Not here. I've pretty much given up eating with my dc's, maybe once a week or so. They're 5 & 3 and we've been on our own for 3yrs.

If I eat with them I end up with indigestion and they finish long before me. It wasn't worth the hassle. My compromise is to potter about tidying / supervising while they eat.

However, they do eat beautifully when we go out for meals (and we have a chance to chat then) and I've been told what good manners DS has at the school dinner table. They're not fussy either. So they jolly well know how to behave it's just goes very wrong when it's just me trying to eat / talk / supervise at the same time.

I eat on my own in peace these days .

Thanks Meglet! Yes I've tried all the old tricks, like asking what was the best thing that happened today etc., and that lasts all of about 3 seconds and then it is back to the stinky-head/spiderman talk ...
Ah well, I will battle on! Thanks anyway :-)

we get that too! I desperately tried (and sometimes still do) to ask DS about school / playtimes / his little friends or ask DD what she's been up to at nursery. Always descends into "poo-poo" this or "I will stick this pea up my nose!" that.

They change when we eat out, they don't run off and it's quite pleasant really.

They're young though, I think it will be a lot more civilised when DD starts school in 18 months. I'll give it another bash then.

I invite others to join us fairly often to break away from the battleground you describe. Of course that means we get invites back too, so I get a bit of company too.

Gosh, that sounds just exactly like the pleasant discourse we had at the dinner table tonight, with the occasional 'The Incredible hulk is going to cut your bum off' thrown in for good measure. At least I know it not just my ones!!

(Actually they seem to be able to contain themselves too when out in the world, so not that bad). Thanks again.

Thanks Llareggub, yes that's a good idea; I should start inviting people more often, as I have sisters and parents close by. And then they can experience a 'proper' dinner conversation once in a while!