We have dinner at dh's parents every few weeks to a month, and everyone sits around and talks (and some are just slow eaters). I let dd get up before we do, but it's a little embarrassing to have her run around playing while some people are still eating. Do you make them stay at the table? Dd just isn't that disciplined, b/c we haven't really encouraged it I guess.
How old is she? I think it takes a certain age and maturity to be able to sit at the table until the end. You can't expect toddlers to endure a long sitting. Yes, they should sit and eat for a while and hopefully be as civilized as possible, but you just can't expect too much. They have too much energy and too much exploring to do.
Thank you. She is 3, 4 in August.
Quoting SassyPainter:
How old is she? I think it takes a certain age and maturity to be able to sit at the table until the end. You can't expect toddlers to endure a long sitting. Yes, they should sit and eat for a while and hopefully be as civilized as possible, but you just can't expect too much. They have too much energy and too much exploring to do.
My son just turned 3 and we're currently working on that. I'm not too stingy about him leaving, it's more of an issue that he won't eat his dinner because he gets distracted and wants to do something else instead! It is going pretty well though. If I were you, I'd try to do it at home and at least work on her understanding the concept. That way when you go you inlaw's she could sit a little longer. You definately need to keep her involved while you're at the table though, with conversation or whatever....otherwise it's just booooring lol. I myself hate waiting around at a table for others to finish eating haha
Yeah, she's old enough to learn about the whole ritual of eating at the table. Try eating together at home if you don't already. But I wouldn't force the issue, but rather I would make it fun.
Quoting mommy2028:Thank you. She is 3, 4 in August.
Quoting SassyPainter:
How old is she? I think it takes a certain age and maturity to be able to sit at the table until the end. You can't expect toddlers to endure a long sitting. Yes, they should sit and eat for a while and hopefully be as civilized as possible, but you just can't expect too much. They have too much energy and too much exploring to do.
For other adults...no. But, we make them stay at the table until the kids are finished. If one gets up because they are done and starts playing, then the other will say they are done just so they can play, then complain 10 min. later they are still hungry. So, both of our boys stay at the table until they are both finished. I don't really care if they leave before me and DH are done, though.
I agree!
Quoting SassyPainter:
Yeah, she's old enough to learn about the whole ritual of eating at the table. Try eating together at home if you don't already. But I wouldn't force the issue, but rather I would make it fun.
Quoting mommy2028:
Thank you. She is 3, 4 in August.
Quoting SassyPainter:
How old is she? I think it takes a certain age and maturity to be able to sit at the table until the end. You can't expect toddlers to endure a long sitting. Yes, they should sit and eat for a while and hopefully be as civilized as possible, but you just can't expect too much. They have too much energy and too much exploring to do.
The terrible twos have hit and hit hard and I am out of my realm here!
- mommy2028
on Mar. 20, 2010 at 10:15 PM