Maryland Babies

XP - sitting for meals

DD refuses to sit in the booster or high chair anymore so she sits in a regular chair now.  I use the term "sit" loosely.  She loves to climb on to the chair and will sit for part of the meal, but she also stands in the chair for a good bit.  My general rule has been that you can only eat if either heiny or both feet are in/on the chair and once she gets down/out of the chair, end of meal. 

My mom is bothered that I'm not making a bigger deal to force her to sit in the chair, but it seems to me that I want to make meals pleasant and not start a struggle over this.  If she's 4 years old and still standing on a chair waving a fork while she eats, I think she'd have a point, but I also dont' want to be overly permissive and have my kid be a PITA and act like she was raised in a barn either.

thoughts. .. for now, I just told my mom the pediatrician said to not push it (since my mom is still quoting my pediatrician for 30+ years ago as an expert)

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers

Re: XP - sitting for meals

  • Probably one of my largest pet peeves...giving me advice from 30+yrs ago.  Times change!!

     

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  • My only issue would be if this behavior continued as she got older, but knowing you, it probably wont.  She's still so young, she's learning one thing at a time.  Besides you guys are her parents if you are ok with it now, it's fine, and she probably stands because the distance between the chair (when she's seated) and the table is pretty big and she feels like she needs to be closer to the table.  I'm sure it will work it's way out as she gets older/bigger, and can comprehend and execute better manners.
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickersLilypie First Birthday tickers
  • I don't think it's a big deal.  You know it's inappropriate and won't allow it to get to the point where she's climbing at her chair at 4.  It would be different if you didn't see anything wrong with it.  I would just gently remind Ella that "we sit at the dinner table.  See Mommy and Daddy sitting" and leave it at that.  If you make it a huge issue, then she will figure out that it bothers you, and it will snowball! (from my personal experience!)
    Laura & Jim ~ July 10, 2004
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    miscarriage on 11/26/09 at 5w6d
  • I agree with Laura. There are some battles not worth fighting. She'll learn eventually, and if it makes meals less stressful for the time being then so be it.
  • I also agree that some battles are not worth fighting but this may be one that is. I watch a little girl who is now 3yo (4 in Jan) she still will not sit to eat. They never made her sit because she does not want too. Now to this day she still gets up about 10 times during a meal.

    My girls are only allowed to eat meals at the table. They have never given me a problem with this. I think it is just because we enforced this since the beginning.

    The little girl who I watch is almost never taken to restaurants because  of her behavior with this during meals. When we go out or my parents take the kids out we always get comments made about how well behaved they are.

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