Do you put a time limit on their meals?

I've not done this officially, just when things get ridiculous-like we're still sitting there after an hour and they are more playing than eating.

The boys used to be really good eaters but I guess they are going through a stage right now where they just aren't as interested-even in the foods they usually love.

Trey especially is a s....l....o.....w eater plus he takes TINY bites. Drives me crazy and I usually end up feeding the last half of his meal to him rather than wait for him to finish.

So, do any of you put a time limit on meals? If so, has it encouraged them to "get down to business?"

I don't want to rush them exactly-just want them to get on with it.

Thanks!

 

We have tried both... when I used to take their plates away (and this only happened twice) I would put them in the fridge and they would have to eat it for BREAKFAST!! Eeww... but then we tried making them sit there until they were done and that worked better because once everyone else was up playing whichever was being slow usually wants to be up too, so they go ahead and eat! I have more on this topic but DH needs me!! :icon_biggrin:

 

Sort of. If everyone is done except DD1, then we get up and she has to stay until she is done. That only happened a few times before she stopped eating so s-l-o-w-l-y. But if she is done because she doesn't like what we are having and is being fussy, she has to stay until everyone else is done. We're going for the "we all eat as a family" thing, and hoping this helps that along.

 

Yes, I have. If they are taking waaay too long and clearly just dawdling, I will set the timer for a few minutes and when the time is up, the meal is up. It kind of makes the timer the bad guy and not me.

 

I have no need to do this. Mine only take a few bites and they are done. (a WHOLE other topic !)

I'd say go for a time limit .. see how it works out for you.

 

I was planning on posting this topic tonight!

My girls are older (4), but they take forever! I have never let them eat anywhere else but the table and have a "no toys at the table" rule. But lately they are up in between every bite. The fool around, go to the potty, check this or that, fight and argue with each other, drop their fork, pick it up, ect, ect, ect/ It's ENDLESS!. It is really making me crazy! I said to DH this morning that an hour for each meal, three times a day (never mind snacks!) is really getting old here!

I don't know if theyr're bored with their food, don't like what I'm serving, just want to play...whatever. I don't even give them snacks very oftern because they will just fill up on them.

My only hesitation is limiting time for dinner becasue I don't wnat them to be hungry in the middle of the night (this has happeed in the past if they don't eat a decent meal). I actually hear Brynne's stomach growl in the middle of the night becasue she didn't eat enough of her meal and I felt so bad! Not to mention the night waking and tanturm that followed!

So, I don't know what to do? Maybe I'll try it during lunch time to help them learn that when the timer goes off, the meal id donr? Not sure! Guess I'm not much help, huh!

 

I have a flexible 20-30 minute time limit. Once I think they should be done I give them a 5 minute count down, then take their plates & any uneaten food away. I do give them 3 snacks a day (mid morning, after lunch & before bed) to avoid going to bed hungry.

 

I never did with my boys but I SHOULD have!!!!!!!! hindsight is 20/20 !!

Now they take their sweet time in the mornings and try to miss the bus! UHG!!! I have to make them stop eating which makes me feel like I am sending them to school hungry!! UHG!!! I will put a limit on the girls when they are a little older!

 

Not if they are actively eating. If they are playing, I ask them, "Are you all done?" They get one shot to redeem themselves if they say no. If they continue playing I say, "Hmm, you must be all done." and take the plate, clean them up and get them down. Natalie is a VERY slow eater. She is also VERY small for her age. She can sit there as long as she wants, so long as food is actively going in her mouth. She is ALWAYS the last to leave the table and I usually have the kitchen cleaned by the time she gets done. But like I said, she is actively eating.