Image may be NSFW.
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My husband and I have had a bit of a predicament lately which has left us with this question I’d love to ask you:
When your kids are finished eating, do you make them stay at the table until everyone is finished or do you excuse them?
We’ve always let our girls get down when they were finished eating and for the most part, are still sticking with that approach. We just naturally have done this since they were babies, figuring we can’t really expect a 2-year-old to sit through a long leisurely meal. Our kids are great eaters so it’s really never been an issue to let them get down once they’re finished. My husband and I then finish our meal and catch up on the day.
However, recently what’s been happening is that whoever finishes first, encourages the other one to hurry up or starts distracting them with all sorts of mischief which invites some pretty poor behavior at the table. And if they’re both down, chances are one of us has to get up for whatever reason. Then the entire meal is disrupted or sort of comes to a halt. Oh the joys of having two kids so close in age, a 3 and 4-year-old! I know long leisurely meals aren’t in this season of life I’m in, at least all the time. But I don’t think it’s unreasonable for me to be able to enjoy a meal without having to get up! There are pros and cons to each option. Make them stay at the table and you don’t have to get up. Yet, you might end up with fussy children and/or having to entertain them then entire time and that’s not pleasant for anyone. There was one night I attempted this and our middle child just started acting foolish doing all sorts of things she shouldn’t be doing. What else was there for her to do? She was done. Allow them to get down and who knows what they’ll get into and how many times you’ll have to get up. I know this is a phase but am I missing something or am I the only one with this dilemma? I’d love to know you and your family’s approach. Do you excuse your kids when they’re finished eating or make them stay until everyone is finished? Tips please and thank you!
Pictured above, my fiery redhead happily staying at the table because pizza making was involved. Image may be NSFW.
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The post Thursday Thoughts: Do You Make Your Kids Stay at the Table at Mealtimes? appeared first on Babyccino Kids: Daily tips, Children's products, Craft ideas, Recipes & More.
