Feeding time and TV

My wife and I recently relocated with our twin 19 month old girls from the west coast to the east coast. After about 4 months of living on the east coast, we decided it wasn’t for us so we decided to move back to the west coast. Before we left the west coast, we had a nannie and when we returned, we were fortunate to get her back. Our girls have never been big eaters. Our nannie tried feeding them in front of the tv today and they ate a lot. My feelings are they should learn to eat at the table without being distracted by a tv. Should I not worry about this and deal with eating in front of the tv later or should I hold fast to not eating in front of the tv.

 

Was this the first time the Nanny had fed them in front of the TV? It could be a one off. I would say not to worry right now because it can be a habit you can change when they are old enough and you want to eat together as a family. But it is entirely up to you and what you are comfortable with. If you don't want the girls to start the habit of eating in front of the TV, ask the Nanny if she has any more ideas to help them out. Good luck!

 

If you have concerns that they don't eat enough to get all the nutrition they need or if they are underweight, I would probably let it go for now and break the habit later. That's what I'm doing with my 26 month old, who we've been struggling to keep on the growth chart for 9 months now. If she's watching tv, she is more receptive to me feeding her or to eating on her own. In my case, it's a matter of balancing priorities - right now getting weight on her takes precedence over preventing a bad habit that we have to break later. However, if there's no reason to believe that they are lacking in nutrition or weight, you are at the perfect moment to prevent the habit from forming instead of having to break it later.

 

What is the bigger issue for you? Limiting T.V. or eating big meals/nutrition. Your answer to that should guide how you respond to the situation.

Personally, I do not allow T.V. in our house. That said, my girls don't exactly sit and eat a big meal either. Instead, they graze all day long. I was initially worried about this and asked my pediatrician, who I love. In response, she shared with me her favorite general observations for parents like me: (1) Life is exciting and sometimes toddlers can't be bothered to eat, BUT (2) When kids are hungy, they let you know (they ask for food, get crabby, etc.) and they eat.

I wonder, however, if your question is really about approaching your nanny with the concern? If so, I completely understand not wanting to rock the boat when you think you have good child care. We also have a nanny and I unfortunately set the tone of letting some things slide in the beginning because she was really good in other areas - plus we had some really bad "babysitters" before we found her. Now, I wish I had been more firm in the beginning because some of the things I let slide really drive me nuts. And, what started as isolated incidents have become more and more frequent. I think Nancy said it best - thank the nanny for her creativity, but express your desire that the kids not watch T.V. Then involve her in finding another solution. The nanny will feel ownership in the solution, but you will also be keeping the solution in line with your parenting philosophies.