NE1 have a toddler that HATES dinner?

SaraSmile

My son is 3 and throws an absolute fit when I tell him it's time to come sit down for dinner.  I have to keep reminding him to take bites of his meal.  I don't require him to finish his plate but I like to try to get at least 3 bites out of him. It's a constant battle every single night.  Any tips?  I have tried dessert rewards but he doesn't care about them.  He's not a big eater to begin with.  I want him to sit down to dinner every night.  I think it's important but he cries and moans every single night!!!!! Help!  I just want us to have a nice family dinner every night. 

kylara111

I have found that forcing DD to sit down is more trouble than its worth.  When she's hungry, she'sll sit down.  If she doesn't want to eat, she doesn't have to but that means she's not getting anything later.  My DD isn't a big eater either and I know that I can't give her too big of a lunch or she's not eating dinner. 

rach&jay

There are many nights when I let DD know that it is time for dinner and she doesn't want to sit down.  I just let her play until she is ready to come to the table.  She'll eat a few bites and then announce that she is done.  Oh well, at least we tried to get her there and keep her in the conversation. 

This isn't a battle for us yet.  We figure that for now we are setting the foundation.

shouldbeworkin

I've found it helps if I let him chose some of his meal.  He's usually pretty hungry for dinner after school, but if he's not, then he's not.  He really only eats 2 good meals a day.  Usually breakfast and dinner, if he's had a good lunch too, then I can forget about dinner.  As long as he's not being disruptive to his sister or waking up in the middle of the night or early b/c he's hungry, I don't care.