How long does it take your child to EAT???

Doozer · **How long does it take your child to EAT???**

My three year old inherited my talking gene. He can talk your ear off...and it's not always with "why" questions...more like general gab!!

Anyway, when it's meal time, he just won't stop talking and it takes close to an hour sometimes longer for him to finish his meals. Part of the problem is his talking but the other part of the problem is that he's so stinkin' picky about what he eats anymore...argh!

Dh and I have talked about implementing time limits (by using a timer) but at the same time, we want to encourage round table family discussions at that time of the day. It's the only time of the day we are altogether.

I just don't know what to do about it so I am asking all of you how long it takes your kids to eat! Maybe he's normal ~ whatever that means!! LOL

Happymom · 11-29-2006, 12:53 PM

My kids are done in an instant! I don't think they like to sit still that long. In fact we have the 2 & 3 yr old strapped in boosters (at opposite ends of the table) in order to get them to sit still!!!

brandk916 · 11-29-2006, 01:02 PM

My oldest ds inhales his food! My youngest takes forever! He talks and plays and it takes him the longest time to finish his food. I am glad to know he is not the only one!

allgirls · 11-29-2006, 01:47 PM

depends on how hungry and what I make. generally dd who is 3 is pretty good except when I'm in a hurry. :D she ate very fast today.

allgirls

kotasmomma03 · 11-29-2006, 04:04 PM

I wouldn't worry too much as long as he is getting something to eat! My DS likes to talk a lot too but I figure he's not starving and he knows how to tell me if he's hungry so I don't worry too much about it. I usually have to remind him a couple times to stop yapping and take a bite, but overall I would say it takes him about a half hour to eat dinner. We make sure he eats at least half of what we give him. It all depends too...sometimes he's hungrier than others and wont talk as much then!! Goodluck!!

stacia · 11-29-2006, 08:04 PM

My kids eat fast, then talk. BUT if I make something they don't like, then they stall

MaddieMoo · 11-30-2006, 10:41 AM

My 2.5 year-old daughter takes usually about 45 mins. for breakfast. Part of her issue is talking (yes, she inherited this from me), but I'm a slow eater as well. It does get frustrating if we are going somewhere, but in the long run, it's healthier for her than inhaling her food (like my DH and stepson do).

jeninjersey · 12-04-2006, 01:45 PM

I don't time my son but he does take forever!!!! He keeps talking and talking and talking and by the time he is done talking he barely eats. I wish I had a good suggestion for you but I don't, I am in the same boat.

Jilli's Mommy · **Takes forever to eat!**

My daughter is 4 and she takes FOREVER to eat. Literally, she would sit and not eat a thing during any meal if we weren't saying take a bite, take a bite. She talks, watches us, and daydreams. I don't know what to do. We're about to the point that we're going to set the rule, that when we're done eating she's done eating. She's a very picky eater but even with food she does like, it takes her forever.

kellynkay · 12-12-2006, 03:05 PM

OMG - I was just talking about this today...it takes my 3yo FOREVER to eat! We will be done (after a 1/2 hr dinner), table cleared and washed, and the other kids will be starting her homework and she IS STILL EATING!!

It also takes her about 3 days to do anything you ask of her....get dressed, get your shoes on, get your coat.....

Amazingly though she can get to the kitchen in 5 secs flat if you are handing out cookies