https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 19:15:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-with-2-and-3-year-old#post-2610895 Thu, 25 Aug 2016 14:47:50 +0000 mauxie 2610895@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is 3 and DS is 2. For us, it's that my daughter talks sooooo much when she eats LOL. Between every bite, she HAS to say something or point out how much/well she's eaten a particular thing.</p> <p>I want to listen to her and have a conversation, but have to remind her (often) to focus on the meal and that we'll have time to talk about x, y, z soon. Sometimes I just tell her, "wow that's really interesting. I want to hear more about it after dinner. I need to focus on eating because I'm really hungry" and I'll just be quiet myself and eat. </p> <p>DS loves to eat so he's usually really into his food and doesn't act silly or talk too much. </p> <p>They sit next to each other. No other toys, books, distractions, etc. I try not to compare their eating habits or make it a race, but do catch myself sometimes saying "Look, he ate all his X already, you should too."</p> <p>We switch up our plates sometimes and using the "Dinner Winner" plate gets them to be into their food (because of the prize at the end). I only do this once every couple weeks though haha. Also, I notice on days we use chopsticks they are a little more quiet bc they're so focused on picking up food correctly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-with-2-and-3-year-old#post-2610665 Thu, 25 Aug 2016 11:44:00 +0000 skipra 2610665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are also 2 and 3 (almost 4). If they sit next to each other they are crazy. So we make them sit across the table and if they are having trouble focusing on eating DH or I will read books until either they finish or calm down. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/mealtime-with-2-and-3-year-old#post-2610513 Thu, 25 Aug 2016 09:53:02 +0000 sunnyday 2610513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Looking for commiseration and tips.</p> <p>I have a 3 year old DD, and 2 year old DS.</p> <p>My DD has always been a slow eater, hour long sitting for meals since she was wee. They are both fabulous eaters in terms of variety, we cannot complain there, they pretty much eat anything we put on the plate.</p> <p>Now that they are a little older, every mealtime is plagued with giggles and foolishness.</p> <p>I realize a little fun here and there is fun, but it's getting to the point where every meal is games and silly. If we remove them from the table for some time away it's screaming and tantrums and awful. DH and I try to balance each other, sometimes it really gets to him, other times (like this morning) I absolutely lose my cool. </p> <p>I don't really have two eating spaces/rooms in our house, but I am at the point I want to separate them for meal time, it's completely impractical.</p> <p>We both WOHM and with DD starting school in September I know our efficiency around breakfast and dinner will be important. We offer zero screen time in/around meals and there are no toys or anything other than people, dishes/cutlery and food at the table.</p> <p>Does anyone have any tips/tricks/reading resources for keeping the foolishness out of mealtime without feeling like a drill sergeant and meal times being completely silent.</p> <p>I am really just hoping we can get into some routine for weekday mornings that doesn't involve me nagging at them to keep moving and turn off the silly. </p>