Curious -- what do you do when your toddler won't even sit down for a meal?

[Anonymous]

Yes. We are the same way - very relaxed about dinner time. Sometimes the kids are just too busy with toys to want to sit down for polite conversation. Sometimes, they do play nearby and listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is what is wrong with parents today. We no longer expect our kids to follow basic rules like sitting at the table during meal times. More often than not, they just don't want to stop their play to come eat, even though they are hungry. I have been around toddlers that run around the table during meal times. I find it sad. I expect my 2.5 year old to remain seated during a meal. He is in a booster chair, but does not require the seat belt. If he chooses not to eat, then he talks with us or draws at the table. Op - how does your child do when you are out eating? Do you let him get up and play, or does he remain in his seat for the duration of the meal? I would really like to see more children that can remain seated for a meal, especially out to eat.

This is what's wrong with parents today. I find the ultra-permissiveness of letting a child work on various art-projects--or to read--at the table where the family is gathered at the end of the day to be the height of disrespect. The dining table should be for dining. This really bugs me.

I guess different folks have different standards.

I wrote the top post. My child is 2.5. This is a work in progress. I certainly will not entertain drawing at the table when he is older and more able to communicate. Then, we will talk about our days. He has limited speech right now, so all I expect (which is more than most) is that he sits with his family during meal times and eats.