My kid just WON’T sit at dinner. It is making me crazy. I want to eat and relax, not chase her around. What can I do?
How long is dinner? We have to be sure that we are not expecting too much. The average toddler or young child can only sit at dinner for about 15-35 minutes, depending on their temperament. If you are asking your child to sit for 40 minutes or more, you are asking for trouble. Here are a few quick ideas:
If your child goes to school, ask the teacher how well he sits at school. This can help you gauge how long he can sit at home.
- Involve your child in the conversation. Ask what was the best and toughest things to happen that day. This is not a time to judge or fix – just a time to talk. “How did you feel about that?” “What did you do next?” “What will you do next time?” You give your (age appropriate) answers, too.
- Listen to music. A member of the family can have a day to choose the type of music or artist.
- Let your child pick a meal one night. It has to be healthy, but it can also be fun. Tacos, breakfast for dinner, make your own pizza.
- Discipline needed? Be clear that your child will not be able to move on to playing until she has sat for dinner. The toys are closed until she has sat at the table for 15 minutes, or your chosen time.
Do not get too worked up – that fuels the fire of defiance. Be clear, be calm, and make mealtime fun.
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Brandi Davis, ACC, is a professional Parenting Coach, Parent Educator, and Author of O.K. I’m A Parent Now What? She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and be sure to catch her parenting podcasts on iTunes. The goal of Brandi’s practice is to bring respect, calm communication, teamwork, and FUN into the home or classroom. To discover all that Child and Family Coaching can bring to your family stop by www.childandfamilycoaching.com.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.