Getting 2year old to sit at table to eat

[meepmoop]

My DS has just turned 2 and used to be an amazing eater.

The past week however I've really struggled to get him to sit at the table to eat his food. He wouldn't sit strapped into his booster seat as he would have a mega meltdown so I've taken it off. Then he would eat then wander off. Now he will not sit at the table or eat any food.

He just wants to sit on the sofa and pick at his food while watching tv.

He has a toddler table but won't sit to that either

We've always eaten together as a family and turned any tv off when eating. I'm really at a loss.

I ignored him at lunch today as he cried wanting the tv on and he's now asleep from the stress I think.

Any ideas how I can get him to sit and eat.

I'm really stuck, all he's eaten so far today is a banana and a lump of cheese.

Thank you

Hi OP, first of all this sounds completely normal for a 2yo!

However I would stand firm on this. I am a relaxed mum in many ways, but I don't let my DC eat while sitting on the sofa or watching TV. So I would carry on serving meals at the table, without him strapped in. If he refuses to sit at the table, he can't have any food. He won't starve, honestly!

I would give him more than one opportunity to come to the table. So he can get down and wander off and come back a bit later, and he hasn't missed his chance (unless this goes on for ages). And I'd be fine with toys at the table if that helps to distract him. Also try to make sure he's hungry at mealtimes (limited or no snacks between meals).

Don't worry, I promise this is just a phase. Hang in there and it will get better.

Thank you for your reply, it's made me feel better.

I'll keep trying him, hopefully he'll get the message soon enough.

He is testing, that's completely normal!

The first thing you have to do is to think just for yourself how you want the eating situation to be, and then stick with it. Sounds simple, because it is. If you decide that you want to eat together at the table, that's where he'll have to eat ... if he wants to eat. He'll probably keep trying for a while to get what he wants, because apparently it worked for him before, but if you are consistent he will eventually learn that those are the rules and they won't get bend. He might not be eating a lot for a while, but he won't starve himself. If he's hungry, he'll eat, even if he doesn't like the rules.

Stick to your guns, it's a battle of wills and you need to win! I would keep the booster seat, they can't reach properly

Thanks everyone, I'll keep at it.

This evening he didn't cry because there was no tv and didn't pester me. He just went off and played. I guess that's an improvement.

I managed to get him to eat 3 spoonfuls of peas

They don't call it terrible twos for no reason aha! It's totally normal. My children would all be like this but they do sit up at the table now! Whatever you do just don't give in xo

Mine were kneeling up to table on a normal chair at about 2, so I'd give ground on this and stand firm on the question of the sofa and TV. Make sure he doesn't see Mum & Dad eating on the sofa in front of the TV too!

Our 2 year old is going through this also, we are just sticking to our guns on it.
It can be frustrating as he uses any excuse to get down, but we allow him down (normally it's wee wee) but he has to come straight back.

I think we are hoping perseverance is key.