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How long does it take dc to eat dinner?

LinzDavidLinzDavid
in Parenting

I'm thinking about starting to set a timer for ds (4) for dinner.  He gets distracted by his sister/looking out the window/etc or is too busy talking and I always have to remind him to eat.  That and if he isn't really fond of a food he will take f.o.r.e.v.e.r to chew and swallow.  (I can't get across to him the sooner he swallows it the easier it is!!)

I'm thinking of putting 30 minutes on the timer.  Too short?  Not long enough?

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Re: How long does it take dc to eat dinner?

  • ZenyaZenya member

    My DS is 4 and eats like a bird.  I'd say it takes him about 10 minutes.  And that's b/c we make him sit until we're done.

    30 minutes (for one course?) sounds like a really long time to me.  But I'm interested to see the other responses! 

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  • hikerbethhikerbeth member

    DD takes about 45 minutes to an hour . . . and I encourage it because it's our only time to sit down together when DH is home.

    30 minutes seems a little short for dinner to me.

    imageimage Ashley Sawtelle Photography
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  • LinzDavidLinzDavid
    Sadly, 30 mins would probably be an improvement.  I was thinking of starting with a time and over time reducing it. 
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  • LinzDavidLinzDavid
    imagehikerbeth:

    DD takes about 45 minutes to an hour . . . and I encourage it because it's our only time to sit down together when DH is home.

    30 minutes seems a little short for dinner to me.

     

    Hiker, do you have to remind her to eat?  Or does she just eat slowly at her own pace without encouragement?  If he did that I wouldn't mind sitting at the table as long as he actually ate on his own.  

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  • ~Kat~~Kat~
    Maybe 20 minutes if it is a food he really likes.  Usually he dosen't eat much for dinner though, so it might only take 10 minutes or so. I think 30 minutes is very generous.
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  • mulrooneymulrooney member

    DD (3.5) takes FOREVER to eat any meal. Up to an hour for each one - it is ridiculous & in the end she really doesn't eat that much & I feel like I nag her to eat each bite. She also does the chew really slowly thing. I have to get her to open her mouth before she gets down because she will keep a wad of food in her cheek - so gross. 

    Anyway, I asked our pedi about it and he said it was perfectly fine to set a timer for 20 - 30 minutes and just let the timer be the reminder. When we do it, we try not to nag her about each bite. Sometimes it works, sometimes not & she gets upset when we end the meal even if she's not eating.  I can't wait for this stage to be over!

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  • hikerbethhikerbeth member
    imageLinzDavid:
    imagehikerbeth:

    DD takes about 45 minutes to an hour . . . and I encourage it because it's our only time to sit down together when DH is home.

    30 minutes seems a little short for dinner to me.

     

    Hiker, do you have to remind her to eat?  Or does she just eat slowly at her own pace without encouragement?  If he did that I wouldn't mind sitting at the table as long as he actually ate on his own.  

    Sometimes I have to remind her to eat and sometimes I don't. . . depends on what we're eating and how hungry she is.

    imageimage Ashley Sawtelle Photography
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  • winomom22winomom22 member
    It takes her frickin forever! DH and I can be done eating and have cleaned up the kitchen and she will STILL be eating. She gets distracted too or plays with her food. I give her warnings to stop playing and if she doesn't, I eventually just take her plate away. 
    Child #1: 6 yo DD Child #2: 2yo DD
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  • peekaboo716peekaboo716 member
    30 minutes seems about right for us. DS has a harder time finishing his lunch at school as he is too distracted. They get 30-40 minutes to finish there.
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