My DS is 2.1 and is generally pretty easy going. At home we eat together and then when he's decided he's had enough he signals this by giving himself a clap and holding up his hands to be wiped clean. He then gets down from the table and goes off to play while we continue with our meal. I think this is reasonable for his age. He has a good appetite and so is usually at the table for a decent length of time. BUT if we go to MIL's or SIL's to eat he's often waited a while for his food and seems to go past the wanting it stage. He gets really excited and starts yelling to get down. Most times we let him go as it's the only way everyone can eat in relative peace. I don't want this to become a battle of wills at someone e;se's house and feel he's too young to really understand that he ought to sit a bit longer but equally I can't abide bad manners in older children and wonder if this is the slippery slope.... what do you think?