Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Slow eater. Losing my mind!

2 replies

Carouselfish · 28/04/2018 22:14

DD, almost three and mealtimes have always been a nightmare. Right now, the main problem is her faffing about and doing anything other than eating her dinner, so that it takes at least an hour to get two thirds of it down. I used to give in and feed her, but I realised it was ridiculous as she was sitting with her dinner in front of her, watching me eat mine and waiting for me to then feed her, instead of just cracking on with it herself. So, now I tell her she has to feed herself. I talk to her, tell her stories, have even got a book out to read to her and only turned the page after every mouthful. Most of the time though, I crack and have to leave the table to wash up (in the same room) or busy myself around the downstairs of the house just to avoid losing my temper. Still, she will look at, fiddle with, do anything other than just sitting and eating more than two or three mouthfuls. She'll push my buttons and spill water or food on the floor 'accidentally' on purpose.
What I'm doing isn't working. What can I do? I hate ending almost every evening with a fight. Sad

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
AddictiveCereal · 28/04/2018 22:49

I'd just feed her myself in order to get some healthy food into her and to avoid the waste of time. I'd let her feed herself her breakfast etc so she gets used to using cutlery. I did this with my 6 and 8 year olds when they were younger but now they feed themselves their own dinners.

Wallywobbles · 29/04/2018 07:56

Is she ever really hungry? What happens if there are other smalls around? Does she also chew slowly? Could you use a timer. And just take it away after 20 mins or so. No negotiation.

I used to do a plate of raw veg and fruit. Carrot sticks apple slices etc and they'd be quite competitive about eating it but I have 2 v close in age. And often messy fruit (like oranges or nectarines) in the bath when they were small.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page