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Parenting

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Original poster

TV at meal times

10 replies

Andi1980x · 23/02/2024 09:18

Hi,
First time post so hopefully this is OK.
Our nearly 2 yr old (22 months in a little) is being difficult at meal times when it comes to feeding. It was so difficult at one point that we put youtube on our phone and let her watching some educational kids shows. Now she won't eat unless there is something for her to watch. We would obviously prefer it if she didn't watch tv but if it gets food into her then I'd prefer that.
We're worried now as it seems to be eating less when she is at nursery and we are very worried that it is related to us letting her watch TV when she eats at home.
She is a bit of a picky eater so it might not be related at all, but it's something that sticks.
Any thoughts or advice on this?

Thanks,
Andi

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coughe · 23/02/2024 14:07

I don't think having the TV at home would make any difference to eating habits at nursery - my dc eats fine at nursery, I think the other dcs create entertainment for her.

My dd also likes entertainment while eating, but we've opted for reading picture books or singing to her rather than TV. Something to consider trying instead?

gemloving · 23/02/2024 14:26

It's one of those things. Take it away and you'll get some anger for a few days but she'll get used to not having TV again at dinner times very quickly. It's one of those accidental parenting things, you think: oh this is great and then you're like... well actually it's not and it's hard to break the cycle although I'm not sure that's how you feel.

I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old and meal times are important to talk about our days. I appreciate the 2 year old doesn't add too much but he does tell us who has been at the childminder, that his little mate bit him yesterday 🤣 and I generally know what's he's been up to so ask specific questions so that we all have a chat really & I hope this will last. You create the environment that you want for your family and if the only concern is that she doesn't eat enough at nursery and you like her watching TV at dinner time, that's also absolutely fine. I wouldn't think that it stops her from eating at nursery but personally wouldn't choose Tv at meal times.

alpaca44 · 23/02/2024 14:36

I’d try and stop TV at mealtimes before the habit gets too ingrained! Much harder to stop the older she gets. I had picky eaters too… so hard when they won’t eat. If she eats a bit less while adjusting to the new dinner time rules I don’t think it will affect her long term.

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SErunner · 23/02/2024 20:41

You really need to stop the screen at mealtimes, it's not a good habit to get into. They all go up and down with intake and being difficult with meals, it's normal, you just have to ride through it with a consistent demeanour that you couldn't care less whether they eat or not. Make sure there is always something on their plate you know they like and will eat if they're hungry and keep to whole, unprocessed food as much as possible (including snacks). It will get better in time but the up and down nature of it often lasts years.

FrenchandSaunders · 23/02/2024 20:46

I’d stop it and persevere. Not a good habit to into.

Peppapog263 · 24/02/2024 14:44

Definitely go cold turkey on watching a phone at meal times.

jannier · 24/02/2024 15:18

Do you all eat together? Just say no and carry on eating your meals a few days she will get to enjoy the chat.
But if your on your phone or TV ....or expecting her to eat on her own your not fair.

RosesAndHellebores · 24/02/2024 15:21

It needs to stop. Best bit of advice I had from a friend with older children was "if they don't eat it in 10 minutes, take it away - no snacks before the next meal".

"Mummy I'm hungry, can I have chocolate, crisps, biscuit?"

"No darling, you didn't eat lunch, you can wait for tea at 5.30"

Put it on rinse and repeat.

MissyB1 · 24/02/2024 15:25

Oh dear that was a rod for your own back, still we’ve all made mistakes like that! Time to stop it now when she’s young enough to forget. Not so easy when they’re older.

HAF1119 · 24/02/2024 15:35

Something a lot of people have encountered. We did for a period! And it started to be asked for breakfast lunch and dinner if at home!

We went cold turkey, had a couple of days of battles, then never returned and just have meals at the table. It is a lot nicer :) and it really helps with meals out etc to instill good table manners and staying at the table until all are finished etc

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