Author Topic: Do I really need to eat my meals with him?  (Read 1538 times)

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Offline Jessi

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Do I really need to eat my meals with him?
« on: August 20, 2005, 01:38:02 am »
My ds is 16 mo. and I used to eat meals with him, but his schedule is a bit funky now.  We always eat breakfast together, but I usually have lunch during his nap (11-1) because I'm starving by then.  I sit down with him for lunch when he wakes up, but don't eat.  Ever since he's gone to one nap, he goes to bed around 6:15, so has dinner at 5:15 or so.  I'm definitely not ready to eat my dinner then, so I never do. 

I guess I have a couple of questions.  Everything I read seems to mention that it's important to have meals with your kids.  Why do you think that is, and do you think I should try and rearrange my own eating schedule.  I do notice that he eats more and is willing to stay at the table longer if I eat with him.



Offline Tonya

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Do I really need to eat my meals with him?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2005, 02:18:39 am »
I think the biggest reason that people say you should eat together is so that your lo see's eating as a social, family thing, other than a struggle.

Honestly, we have eaten as a whole family only a few times in ds life.
He eats hours before we do - it's just not possible in my house, where there are 2 working people, to get home and make dinner in a timeframe that would be acceptable in making ds wait to eat.

He eats first, then we play while cooking our dinner, then we eat.
We all still sit at the table together, dh and I just don't eat.

He seems to be doing very well that way, never had any problems (other than ONLY eating Chicken nuggets and green beans for weeks on end! :shock: ) but that's a pretty typical toddler thing.

Would I prefer we all ate together?  Absolutely. But right now this is working for us!

HTH!
Tonya
Mom to Nathan - "Chunky Butternut", 02/18/04
           Madison - "Princess Pea", 11/29/06


Offline carolyn

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Do I really need to eat my meals with him?
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2005, 02:28:36 am »
It's important in our house that we eat together. Even on the days that John eats earlier.  I guess it's a social family bonding thing.  One suggestion I can offer is to eat something with him.  You don't have to eat a meal when he does, but at least eat a snack.  Same goes for him.  When you eat, sit him at the table with you with a snack....could be crackers or apple slices or just a cup.  But let him learn that families eat and talk together at mealtimes.
carolyn
John's mommy :-)

Offline Lana

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Do I really need to eat my meals with him?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2005, 02:41:19 am »
It is definitely a socialisation thing.  Tracy actually talks about it in her toddler book.  She does also say, like Carolyn did, that it is okay if you only have a snack while they are eating.

I do know that it is hard.  For us dh works nights so 5 nights a week it is only ds and I for supper and sometimes I am not hungry so I just have a snack while he has dinner.  Also due to our schedules we usually only have one dinner as a family all week.

HTH


Offline {{{Angela}}}

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Do I really need to eat my meals with him?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2005, 15:28:22 pm »
I eat breakfast with ds too, and he naps around the same time as your ds, so I eat lunch first and he has his around 1:30 pm.  We have dinner together as  a family, unless dh works late, then I feed ds first because it's harder to get dinner ready for all of us without dh to entertain ds sometimes.

Personally, I think it's important for us to eat together as a family.  It's a habit I want to start early.  I envision having conversations about school and issues that the kids are dealing with as they get older.  It also gives ds a chance to try new foods (he's more likely to try when he sees us eating them) and observe us using utensils and plates.

I know sometimes it's not feasible for the whole family to eat together.  Since you're finding that he eats more when you're eating too, maybe you can have a snack or appetizer while he has lunch/dinner.
Angela
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