Wise mumsnetters, please give me advice on how to deal with my 3 yo

[anicegreentea]

Basically as soon as he realises it's getting close to dinner time he starts saying:
'I'm really hungry'
'ok well dinners nearly ready, just 10 mins'
then 'I need my dinner'
'it wont be ling go and watch telly/ play train set etc'
Then 'is that my dinner'
'yes but it's not cooked yet'
Them 'I need my dinner now though'
'I'm starving'

Sometimes descends into wailing dramatically

It's not cos he's actually that hungry, he just doesn't have patience. I tried moving dinner time forward but the same happens

I usually have to sneak off to cook it, or cook things which take very little time. Cos as soon as he realises it's being cooked, he decides he can't wait any longer.

I often end up giving him bread and butter or dry cereal to snack on while he waits. But he often then isn't that hungry when dinner is ready.

How does everyone else deal with this? Should I be more strict telling him to be quiet he just has to wait?

Depending on what you're cooking, could he 'help'?
He could mix, or pass you things, set the table etc?
I'm a kind of "well, I know you want it now, but it's not ready so you'll have to wait" kind of person.

I do try to get him to help. For instance with spaghetti Bol he breaks up the mushrooms for me with his fingers. But you can't avoid the 20 mins of cooking on the hob where there isn't much needing done.

Yes, I know.
Mine on occasion are the same. We play most things by the whole you can't always get what you want when you want it and you'll have to wait just like the rest of us. I know that's not helpful.
And he does this even if dinner was earlier?
Other than batch cooking and freezing I don't know what to suggest.

My son is allowed small snacks up until dinner time as I figure he knows if he's hungry.

So, for example, just now he's had an apple and some orange juice and some ham. We will have dinner in about an hour.

However, he just asked for a sandwich and I said no. He kept asking until I said "The answer is no, the subject is closed." And then I refuse to discuss it further. No matter what he says, I just ignore him.

He's 3.5, BTW.

Batch cooking would be good. Perhaps I should try that.

I do it sometimes for during the week when time after school/work is restricted. Means I can take a portion out of freezer in morning and then microwave it or pop it in a pan to heat through. Depending on what it is.

Give him some veg that you normally would have cooked, or some fruit, but raw chopped into little bits...saves you cooking it, has even more vitamins in, takes longer to eat.
You can give him something to dip them in if you feel like it but just a plate of carrot sticks and peppers, apple and blueberries will keep him busy and still is part of his 'meal'...call it 'starters' if that helps you to salve your guilt.

Hmm, I think I would have to just put up with the wailing and stick to my guns. At 3yo he is able to understand that food takes time to cook.

Ignore. And give him a timer so that he can count the time down till his meal will be ready.

Liking the idea of the timer!

I batch cook for DS as he eats earlier than DH and I.

So I have a stash of bolognese/chicken bolognese/lamb stew/meat balls/lamb burgers etc in the freezer (as well as shop bought stuff like chicken goujons and fish fingers). Then all you need to do is boil pasta/steam veg (10 mins max) and you're done!

I couldn't imagine starting to cook a whole meal from scratch at DS's tea time (he also tends to eat different food to DH and I as we eat mainly veggie stuff)

Yeah I'd prefer to give him meals I could just micro for him in a couple of mins and us eat later. But we've been having problems with him being picky recently, so I've been trying to make sure we eat together as a family as I think this helps.
The minefield of a toddler and there eating habits.

We try to eat as a family as much as I can be bothered we can. I really do think it helps fussy eaters.
I also make sure I plan one meal a week to be fishfingers/nuggets etc. Normally a wednesday.
I'm a bit of a meanie though and have never changed something because my ds's can't wait.
But I think batch cook and then microwave is the best way if you want meal times to be wail-free