I just started reading a new eating book, Child of Mine - feeding with love and good sense, because although DS is a good eater I find that we have to distract him with Puffs or other finger food to keep him from crying or wrestling out of the high chair. ?I just don't want to bribe him with food to get him to eat, I think it's just wrong...I'd rather he eat because he wants to and not feel all guilty or anxious if he doesn't eat the exact amount each meal.
ANYWAY (sorry for the tangent), she suggests eating all meals together so that it's an enjoyable family experience. ?It's something I've been trying to do, but I just find it so difficult to prepare an entire meal without DS hanging all over me (DH is usually off to work by the time dinner is being prepared, or if he's home we usually go for a walk before dinnertime and cook dinner after DS is in bed).
If you eat dinner together as a family, how do you do it? ?Put DC in a playpen or bouncer to keep them occupied? ?Have Dh help? ?Just wondering...?
Re: Do you eat dinner as a family?
WE try to always eat dinner together.
If DH is home from work then we also usually eat lunch together.
We do almost every night. The only exception is when DH is working late- if he's going to be later than 7:30, DD and I will eat together or I'll sit with her when she eats and then eat late with DH (DD starts her bedtime routine at 8pm).
To prepare meals, I try to plan ahead. DD usually takes two naps a day, so if something is going to take a lot of prep, I'll do it during one of the naps. I also stock up on healthy frozen entrees and veggies from Trader Joe's. Even on a really bad day, I can get one of their frozen multi grain veggie lasagnas and a salad on the table with about three minutes of effort.
Otherwise, I have two tricks for keeping DD occupied during prep. First, I have a whole shelf of plastic containers and kid-size play utensils in the island where DD can reach them. She loves to play with these. Second, I have a clamp on seat for the island where she can sit at eye level and play with toys or watch me prep dinner. I think she feels more included this way.
As for eating together, the hardest part is really making it a priority and getting into the habit, but once you establish it, you'll find you can't imagine eating by yourself anymore.