https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 21:34:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757537 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:59:34 +0000 lioneyes 2757537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all. Starting Monday we will be able to have him eat at the counter again. I will probably read to him while he eats, I eat later with DH. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757523 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:46:16 +0000 gingerbebe 2757523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 2.5 your kid can probably manage a regular dining chair just fine. He may need to get up on his knees depending on the height. DS1 sits in a chair with arms at the side so that kinda boxes him into the table so he can't just meander.</p> <p>I would just move your TV if that's possible. If its bolted to the wall, I guess you're just going to have to tell him the TV is broken or it went night night for a bit. But out of sight, out of mind is easier.</p> <p>You can ease the transition by coming up with enjoyable things to do at dinner that aren't TV. For example, we might listen to music DS1 likes and wiggle in our chairs and clap along or we sing songs during dinner. We might ask him leading questions about his day like "Did you see Teacher M today? Did you see your friend Blake today? Did you color today?" At first he just responds with "yeah" but then he will start telling us about how he saw another teach and another friend and how he used purple markers, etc. Sometimes if we're having a tough day, I will allow DS1 to have a small toy at dinner, like a figurine or something, but I generally try to keep toys that are loud or that he can be distracted by off the table. We make him say "all done" before he can go play and we remove the plate so he can't graze back and forth. If he's still hungry a few minutes later, he gets one more crack at dinner, but its at the table eating the food he left on his plate and only if I haven't done the dishes yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757443 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 09:45:28 +0000 JCCovi 2757443@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think at 2.5 you should just go cold turkey. If you sit with him and engage in dinner conversation the transition shouldn't last more then a day or two.</p> <p>We had a morning screen time routine that was letting me sleep in for a few extra minutes. The kids would come ask me for screen time and I'd give them my phone to cuddle me in bed and watch something. We went cold turkey and go hardly any push back at all! </p> <p>Unfortunately, we had a couple good months and I've fallen off the wagon again. It's all about me being lazy and not wanting to make breakfast yet. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757427 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 08:54:16 +0000 snowjewelz 2757427@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There was a period in DD1's life (no clue how we got into the habit) where she had the iPad with her meals. Super not proud of that, but one day I was just like no more! And surprisingly it wasn't bad! She is 2.5 also, I feel like yours would do fine with "normal" chairs. I'd just start prepping him early in the day that there will be no TV during meal time anymore, but instead we can listen to music. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757396 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 08:03:58 +0000 MrsADS 2757396@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following - we don't have the TV on, but sometimes we let LO eat at his little kiddie table (he is 22 months old) instead of in the high chair/booster at the big table. The problem is at the little table, he will sit for like 10 seconds, then he's up, wandering around, he barely eats, etc. He eats a little better sitting with us and obviously that is the better way to do mealtimes. </p> <p>I just have been so exhausted from work and everything lately it is a battle I'm giving in to, but you're giving me inspiration to keep at it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757351 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 06:06:09 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2757351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We recently had to adjust (break) bad dinner routine (everyone in the living room, TV on, LO mostly at the kiddie table). We eased back into, a better meal time experience, but that had more to do with our slow realization it was *that* bad. LO is back in his high chair and we eat in the kitchen and the TV is off. Granted LO is 14 months old and could not put up much of a protest, but we didn't give him any choices. </p> <p>Even though all of you are eating on the couch it doesn't mean the TV has to be on. Do you have a kiddie table or coffee table that you all can eat your meal around? The kiddie chair isn't a bad idea until he gets back into sitting entirely for his meal. Another option would be to make meal times at home a picnic. Everyone sits on a blanket. For something sturdy and table like to use an alternative until you're back at the kitchen table would be a food tray <a href="https://www.target.com/p/breakfast-tray-with-notched-handle/-/A-10638306?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&#038;AFID=google_pla_df&#038;CPNG=PLA_Dining+Shopping&#038;adgroup=SC_Dining&#038;LID=700000001170770pgs&#038;network=g&#038;device=c&#038;location=9010848&#038;gclid=Cj0KEQjwkZfLBRCzg-69tJy84N8BEiQAffAwqn-NypAvXvKhPR6xUWSKaZZYa33UeYxvyaLrvwuuhRgaAtjr8P8HAQ&#038;gclsrc=aw.ds" rel="nofollow">https://www.target.com/p/breakfast-tray-with-notched-handle/-/A-10638306?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&#038;AFID=google_pla_df&#038;CPNG=PLA_Dining+Shopping&#038;adgroup=SC_Dining&#038;LID=700000001170770pgs&#038;network=g&#038;device=c&#038;location=9010848&#038;gclid=Cj0KEQjwkZfLBRCzg-69tJy84N8BEiQAffAwqn-NypAvXvKhPR6xUWSKaZZYa33UeYxvyaLrvwuuhRgaAtjr8P8HAQ&#038;gclsrc=aw.ds</a>. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757341 Wed, 12 Jul 2017 01:58:08 +0000 MrsBucky 2757341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I'd accept that he is going to be pissed about the change for a while and rip off the bandaid. I'd implement a "we only eat st the table" rule, so if he wants to eat, he sits at the table. At 2.5, I'd get a booster seat with straps so he can't just hop in and out. If he says he is done, explain that there won't be any more snacks/ food till the next snack/ meal time. I think it will suck for two days, but if you stick to the plan, he will realize you mean it and get with the program. Anyhow, that's what I would do. We are traveling and out of routine too, and I can see bad habits starting, so I empathize that we will be doing something similar at August when we are back home. Congrats on the new house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757331 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 23:04:12 +0000 DesertDreams88 2757331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No idea about which chair, but hopefully the different setting will help him forget about the TV association. I also recommend the reading books at mealtime, if he hasn't forgotten about watching TV. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757318 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 21:40:37 +0000 jhd 2757318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you read books or listen to music together at the table? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-break-the-tv-dinner-habit#post-2757317 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 21:29:32 +0000 lioneyes 2757317@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We moved 3 weeks ago into an unfinished, under construction house. As a result, DS (2.5) has been eating dinner on the couch every night in front of the TV (we have no usable kitchen, dining or living room yet, just finished bedrooms and the study which is functioning as our temporary living room.) </p> <p>At day camp, they tell me he won't sit at the table for lunch but prefers to graze while playing (and it's hard bc he's one of the youngest and it's all in one big room). The start of camp coincided with the move, when he started eating dinner on the couch. This past year at school, he would sit at the table for snack, so I do think getting back in the habit at home will help for camp/school next year.</p> <p>We are close to being able to use our downstairs, and I want tips on how to break this terrible habit. In our old condo, he either ate at his little table or in the clip-on high chair at the counter. My original plan before the move was to move him into a normal chair that's a little higher so he can reach the table (as his little table is in his playroom as we no longer have a large open plan dining/living)... or should we go back to the clip -on highchair, then transition once he's back in the no tv groove?</p> <p>Thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234713 Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:42:45 +0000 Truth Bombs 2234713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How does your LO eat at school? My LO is some times picky at home but peer pressure is a beautiful thing and she eats everything at school so I don't stress if she doesn't eat perfectly at home. I would definitely stop forcing him to finish everything on his plate, it just creates a negative association with food, and will eventually stop him from being able to know when he's full. As others have suggested, I would just save any left over dinner and continue to offer it as the only option any time he says he's hungry later in the evening. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234707 Mon, 13 Jul 2015 09:39:53 +0000 Greentea 2234707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: well, we live next to a grocery store, so we just get a rotisserie chicken every few days! Yeah, haha, I am not some super mom, or super organized mom!!!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234609 Mon, 13 Jul 2015 08:20:46 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2234609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A few things that have helped us.</p> <p>1) A divided childs plate. She can scoop and eat easier.<br /> 2) Only putting the 3-4 bites we want her to eat on her plate. Don't load it up. Let her get the satisfaction of finishing a section.<br /> 3) Leave the plate sit out for maybe another hour (dinner ta 6-630 and reoffer at 7-730 before tossing it). After that no more stacks. We find even an hour later she may be hungry<br /> 4) Healthy snacks are ones mom and dad get to pick. We don really stress too much if she calls it a snack or a meal. There are times she has gotten cold slices of chicken from the fridge, or we've heated up some frozen broccoli. If they are hungry they should eat whatever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234488 Mon, 13 Jul 2015 06:22:35 +0000 looch 2234488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, food and growing are my two hot button issues. People are so quick to tell me all the reasons as to why my son does what he does around meal times, but I just smile and change the subject.</p> <p>The only thing I feel strongly about is not making it a power struggle. None of this sitting at the table until you finish what is on your plate. I know it works for some families, but for us, it's sure to create all kinds of additional stress that I don't need!</p> <p>eta: How is his eating the rest of the day? I think sometimes you have to look at the course of a week to get an idea of a kid's hunger patterns. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234419 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 22:30:33 +0000 hummusgirl 2234419@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ideally (and this def doesn't happen for every meal), we serve family style so put a few different options in the middle and then we each serve ourselves. We help him, but basically he chooses what he wants from the options we've laid out, so there's not too much waste. He can ask for more of whatever he wants until it's gone - for example, if we're having fajitas, he may just want a tortilla with guacamole and shredded cheese, and we don't pressure him to add veggies/chicken. Basically we try not to put the hard sell on any particular food and treat it all as equal, model good eating, and keep meal time fun and relaxed. So far it's worked out well and he has, in fact, started eating the healthier stuff of his own volition. Some days he'll barely eat anything but then the next day he'll be ravenous - it seems to even out. He is skinny, but we were skinny kids too so I think it's just in his genes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234416 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 22:15:58 +0000 irene 2234416@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hummusgirl: Good for you! Does your child finish almost everything on his/her plate, or is there a lot of waste every day?</p> <p>If I just let him eat as he wishes every day, I'd either have to pack or throw away 40-50% of the things on his plate, every day.</p> <p>That was actually our approach when he was way younger, but he really stalled on growing, and I am so sick of throwing away so much food every day. Then one day DH just set up a rule that he must finish his dinner before he leaves the table. I only enforce this rule at dinner time at home (ie. weekdays dinner). It becomes a very unpleasant experience maybe 50-60% of the time, but I was also happy that I no longer have to throw away everything because he literally had to sit there for an hour+ until he finishes his dinner. He was also growing a bit more since then, not sure if that has anything to do with anything.</p> <p>Maybe I am doing something very wrong and I don't know what is it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234410 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 22:09:02 +0000 hummusgirl 2234410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We mostly use the "Division of Responsibility in Feeding" and it's worked really well (though we could just have a naturally good eater, who knows). It completely took away the power struggle around eating. <a href="http://ellynsatterinstitute.org/dor/divisionofresponsibilityinfeeding.php" rel="nofollow">http://ellynsatterinstitute.org/dor/divisionofresponsibilityinfeeding.php</a> </p> <p>We also do milk before bedtime so at least we're guaranteed some fat/calories then. If your ped isn't concerned about growth, I wouldn't worry too much about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234400 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:53:47 +0000 irene 2234400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Greentea: How do you have Chicken around the house that is ready to eat at any time ? I feel like an inadequate mom now....</p> <p>@hilsy85: Doctor wasn't concerned but he did say it would be nice if we can make him eat more... because he is indeed quite skinny, more like 5 or 15% on the curve? I can't remember. His growth is just a constant worry to me since he was a baby, even though no one seems to care. You know, we all want our children to grow up to be tall instead of short, and I feel that I can/should do something about it when they are still growing while not creating bad habits. You know what I mean?</p> <p>@MrsRcCar: Tonight, he had a tangerine and about 5 oz of milk before we take a bath and bedtime (at 8:30pm tonight) and he still complained he was hungry!!!! Grrr!</p> <p>@lemong: We don't give him anything usually and just explained to him that he made a bad choice tonight he should remember this and make better choices tomorrow (which he doesn't). Some nights when I feel bad, maybe he finished his dinner and I felt like I didn't give him enough, I would give him some milk but that was that.</p> <p>@Mamasig: I hope I'd be laughing too in 15 years and he's 6'3". Hahaha. Highly doubt it. But I'd regret for the rest of my life if he's 5'2" in 15 years... (I am 5'4" DH is 5'9") </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234397 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:51:08 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 2234397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably make a bedtime snack part of your routine. My lo is very small so I have issues limiting food, but he eats ok at meals (not always). There have been nights where he has chicken as a snack before bed... If it's a routine, he's getting what he needs and dinner is totally separate issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234394 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:46:40 +0000 Mamasig 2234394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 was has also gotten pretty picky and just no longer eats as much. I do the same as @Greentea. He is offered the food but eating it is hit or miss. So he'll usually request other "snacks" and eats those as dinner. This is usually yogurt, cheese, or fruit. I'll let him eat as much as that and milk as he wants. I hate food battles. I would just rather him eat something rather than nothing. Maybe it's developing bad habits but I can't stand him not eating something. I think it's a phase like most toddlers. I'll be laughing about this in 10 years when he is a teenager eating everything in sight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234386 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:40:52 +0000 lemong 2234386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What do you give him when he says he's hungry? DD pulls this sometimes and I'll ask her what she wants. When she can't say, sometimes I'll say "2 pistachios" and she'll say yes, eat 2, and then go to bed. So I know them that she's not really hungry. We do let her eat raisins during books before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234382 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:37:58 +0000 MrsRcCar 2234382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: could he just be stalling? N loves to stall bedtime. We have late bedtimes at my place (10-10:30pm) every night. We eat around 6 or 7 every night. It just depends. After dinner if he eats it all, he may have a high value snack (oranges, strawberries, raspberries, etc. ) we brush teeth right before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234381 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:37:50 +0000 hilsy85 2234381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has your doctor expressed concern about his height or weight? Or do you just feel like he looks small compared to his peers? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234380 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:37:28 +0000 Greentea 2234380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: to be honest, I always have things around that she likes (and it changes). That is just my approach, but it works for us. She can always have cheese, for instance, or hummus, if she doesn't like dinner. Chicken, fruit, fresh veggies, whole wheat bread. She can always have those things. She has snack cups of cheerios, goldfish or Annie's bunnies, pretzels. I guess my approach has always been that I'd rather her eat pretzels, fruit, and hummus than nothing. Anyhow, this is just what works for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234373 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:27:30 +0000 irene 2234373@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: @wheres_c: @MrsRcCar: I thought about that.. but then I also thought - if he gets up and says he's hungry at 9:30pm, I let him finish his dinner, and if he really wants it, it will maybe take another half an hour to heat up, eat, and may make a mess on his pajamas. Then another struggle of cleaning up, brushing his teeth....etc. and before you know it, it would be 10:30pm to 11pm! Wouldn't that create a different can of worms..?</p> <p>@Greentea: What healthy snacks do you offer?<br /> He would eat cheerios and raisins any day over proper meal. I just don't want to give him the wrong idea that he will ALWAYS get snacks (healthy or not) if he doesn't eat his dinner. That will make him eat even less at mealtime... Not to mention, I am not a super fan of having to brush his teeth two times at night...</p> <p>And I have to say, there was one night daddy bought ice-cream him, we gave him ice-cream at 8pm at night before bathtime, and he still gets up at 9:30pm and says he's hungry!!!! Sometimes I don't know if I should take him seriously or not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234371 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:20:14 +0000 Greentea 2234371@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a totally different approach. I always allow DD to have unlimited healthy snacks. So, if she doesn't eat a lot for a meal, I don't sweat it. She also gets unlimited milk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234368 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:16:51 +0000 MrsRcCar 2234368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: We are doing this right now with N. The doctor recommended like pp said to simply offer what he didn't finish at his meal and no other choices. It works most often. We are breaking bad habits started by Papa. N is pretty small for his age so I worried but the doctor said as long as he isn't losing weight then we could stick it out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234361 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:12:38 +0000 wheres_c 2234361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: that's true. We've also put dinner in the fridge and offered it again later if he expresses that he's hungry. If he's truly hungry he will eat it, otherwise he just wanted snacks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234360 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:11:31 +0000 wheres_c 2234360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We go through similar with my 2.5 year old but we've mostly nipped it in the bud.<br /> If he eats all or most of his dinner in an appropriate amount of time he gets a reward (piece of chocolate). If he doesn't eat "enough" dinner he is not allowed to eat anything else that night. He eats breakfast when he wakes up.</p> <p>Our son is a skinny boy too, but he eats a ton throughout the day and he needs a little tough love now and then.<br /> We find it helps giving him choices for dinner (ie would you prefer chicken or sausages, potatoes or carrots) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-dilemma#post-2234359 Sun, 12 Jul 2015 21:09:49 +0000 Jess1483 2234359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Gosh that's hard. I know what it's like to have a little one and he worried about growth. If you are truly concerned, maybe save the dinner he didn't eat and let him eat that again before bed? I wouldn't offer anything else, but if he understands that all he'll get is the same food, he might eat it at dinner time? On the other hand, that may cause a sleeping battle, so...? </p>