My Solution to the Dinnertime Dilemma
I’m fairly confident that any toddler mom can tell you what a pain in the ass meal times can be. I often find myself arguing incessantly with the older two trying to get them to finish what’s on their plate sometime before they become teenagers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a dish that they love or not, I can almost guarantee that there will be a fight to try to get them to finish in a timely manner.
On a recent grocery trip, I was scanning the aisles when a little gadget caught my eye. Hanging somewhere between Life and Lucky Charms I spotted this heifer.
Considering there are several digital timing devices built into my kitchen, it’s been a while since I’ve used an actual timer. I figured it would be a nice visual motivator to help get the girls to hurry up and eat though.
For a few night now, we’ve been using our new friend to time dinner. The timer gets set to 20 minutes when we sit down. When the bell dings, dinner is over. Veronica and Adri are able to watch the clock and determine approximately how much time they have left to finish eating. To my surprise, it’s actually helped!
John and I are usually done in about 10 minutes. We’re then able to use the rest of the time to assist the munchkins if they’re in need of an extra hand. If I notice that they’re making an effort to finish, I’m willing to be lenient with the time and stick around at the table for a few minutes after the bell.If not, that’s it. No more snacks or dessert.
Do you have any tricks for getting your kids to eat?
Thanks to all of the lovely ladies who have joined the MilSO Directory Map! It’s starting to fill in rather nicely!
That thing reminded me of when my brother had poor table manners and my mom put a porcelain pig in front of him. And we all started laughing. hahah I don’t know why it made me think of that. But no, we have no problems with Emma, usually she’s done before us. And Maddie’s still too young.
I am really glad this has helped, it seems like a good idea! 🙂
My kids have been dragging their feet with eating lately, too. Unless its breakfast for dinner — and then they inhale it and ask for more! As much as I want us all to sit at the table together, the only thing thats helped with my kids lately is me just getting up and starting to clean the kitchen/dishes. Then they get to business. Its almost like they don’t want an audience! Ha!
I love this idea! I never thought about using a timer for dinner. We use one about an hour and half before bed time, that lets the girls know how long they have to play and pick up.
My needed area for a timer is their bath time, oy! Those girls could spend hours in the tub if I let them.
My 4 year old is the same way. She takes an hour to eat a bowl of cereal. I may have to try the timer. I know they use one at her school during lunch so she may respond to it at home.
That’s a really good idea!
My daughter can take forever to eat. She’s usually the last one at the table. We all just leave.
That’s a genius idea, and the cutest timer ever!
What a great idea! B takes for-ev-er to eat so we should try this, he already used timers as a part of his therapy anyway. Were there more cows at the store?
I might give this a try. Trenton is a notoriously slow eater!
We tried the timer for a bit, but it didn’t work. 🙁 Our son is a talker and can’t focus on eating when he has so much to say. We haven’t really been as worried about the dawdling as we are about the actual eating. He has to take 5 bites of whatever we’re having before he can be done. (1 bite for every year of his age ;)). We don’t start the no-thank-you bite policy until they hit 3 or 4, so his sister still is allowed to do her “I’m done” even if she’s only nibbled.