Man, it is quite frustrating having a slow eater. Owen takes so long to eat that we find ourselves constantly hovering over him at the dinner table. We say things such as:
“Are you still chewing?”
“Take another bite.”
“Sit on your butt and keep eating.”
“If you don’t finish, you won’t get to (insert some after-dinner activity).”
“Five more bites of that and three more bites of that.”
“OK, we’ve set the timer, you need to be done or you’re going straight to bed.”
I know this is not the “healthy” way to behave around food with children. It kills me when we say these things. I want him to have a healthy attitude about food when he grows up; not one that’s been complicated with bizarre time limits that we created when he was four. However, he is ridiculously slow.
It is not healthy for Scott and I either! We try to sit at the table with him while he finishes. However, while we are sitting there, we are tempted to eat more food even though we are full. Usually when I feel the urge to eat out of boredom from sitting there watching him chew, I’ll get up and start cleaning up the dishes.
Any suggestions for a slow eater?
August 29, 2007 at 8:04 am
Oh do I feel your pain! My teeny tiny daughter is this same way. She has a very small mouth and it is really hard for her to chew meat. She can chew a piece of meat for 20 minutes it seems. What we have been doing is clearing the food and finished dishes off the table and then returning to the table to sit with her. We try not to have her engage in too much conversation or we would be there until breakfast the next day. But we do talk about things that are fun for her to listen too.
The Dr’s reminded me that she is eating the way the rest of us should be eating. because she chews her food so long she gets full on less food. She seems hungry all the time but that is because she is eating the 6 small meals a day that the rest of us should be eating.
Not exactly what I wanted to hear. I wanted to hear how I could have her finish her food with the rest of us. But then maybe I should adopt her style and losing that pesky weight wouldn’t be as difficult.
Don’t think I helped you any but at least you know you aren’t alone.
August 30, 2007 at 2:04 am
Hi!
I think EVERY mom goes through this with one or all her children. Although mine are now 23,20 & 12, I still remember the “food war” days.
One important thing to remember is not to let this become an issue. Kidsm as they growm are learning how to “control” their environment and learn independence. Once they know something really bugs mom/dad they latch onto it!! I’ve watched children who would hold food in his/her mouth for FOREVER. It would drive me nuts, but I didn’t let them know it. I’d putter around the kitchen, read the newspaper. Drink my coffee or talk on the phone while they “held” their food. When they finally realized (no this didn’t take just one try of it….give it a good week) that no one cared, they began to eat like they should.
Remember a few things;
Their stomach is as big as their fist.
They can tell that this is an issue for YOU not THEM.
Unless it’s an extreme rare case, no child will starve themselves. They will eat when they are hungry. Forgo “snacks” so that they ARE hungry when it’s time to eat.
On that note, either pick easier meats (ie. fish, crumbled cooked hamburger, hot dogs,or be sure to not overcook the meat).
I always gave my kids a vitamin to help give them whatever they weren’t getting from the food they “chose” to eat.
I never let the kids have desert if they didn’t at least try one bite of everything I fixed. This worked great and got them to “try” things they “thought” they didn’t like.
Good luck to you! Remember these days…they fly by fasther than you think they will!!
Regards,
Jill
mom of 3