Need moral support about mommy being consistent

[Beata]

I have been giving dd too many snacks...and mealtimes have been all over the place - my fault, and an apparent boredom with the usual foods, but won't try new ones for the most part.

I need to be consistent about 3 meals a day at the table because dd is becoming a little devil about eating. It doesn't help that she can almost open the fridge - and has a fit when she can't just have something out of it - I think it's a bit of a game.

And she doesn't like to sit in her booster, but wants to be in the big chair, but then won't sit through a meal.

Send moral support or advice my way, thanks

Beata

[tylersmommy]

Keep in mind that toddlers have small tummies and sometimes need to snack. The trick is often to limit how much you offer for a snack and to limit milk drinking in between meals, as that can fill them up too.

We had a similar issue with sitting at the table when Tyler first decided he wanted to sit in a real chair. He just would not stay in there. What I did was clear his food away and put it on the counter as soon as he got up from the chair and say "oh, you're getting up, you must be all done." If he immediately came back and sat down, I'd give it back and let him eat, but if he got up again, then mealtime was over and there would be no more eating until the next snacktime. There were a couple of cranky days, but it didn't take him long to figure out that when he got up, that meant he was done.

[Beata]

Thanks Melissa - it funny how simple the solutions are, the problem is the parents - "me" -  being consistent. Oye. Cate has been fighting her vaccinations from last week, and with a fever, and I am sure aches, she's just not really hungry. So I do whatever makes her happy. I know that's the right thing to do, and once she feels good, we will start the technique that worked for you. I think I need to sit her at the table or in a given spot for snacks too.

[vixbil]

Hi,

It is so nice to read this as I am going through the exact same thing with my 2 and half yr old DS, I have recently had twins so trying to sort out meals for him is a nightmare although I am really trying.  Trouble is we have had so many visitors that the snacking has gotten out of control and we are having the same sitting on chair problem too.  I will definitely be more consistent but it is so hard when the 2 little ones are screaming at me too...

[maggie2]

Wow - this is exactly what has happened to us lately, too!  Any time Ds is in the kitchen, he whines and crys and reaches for the cupboards and fridge.  I have also put my foot down the past couple of days (with dh, really - any time ds seems to be upset, dh gives him food!!!).  We're doing 3 meals per day, with 2 small snacks, so we'll see how it goes.

Good luck with everything!  Just wanted to post to let you know that you're not alone!
Maggie