Do you let your toddler throw food on the floor? - Page 2

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by tallulahma

is this more common with high chairs?

i just honestly cant think of a time when ive seen my kids just start tossing around food or cups.

I have to clean the floor after every meal because of accidental crumbs or spills and such...

except if it was a large wasting of food` id be upset.

but we all eat together at the table, so i would notice before they started throwing things that they were bored/done.

nak

We don't use a highchair & DS throws food on the floor nevertheless. It's not a matter of noticing it for us... because he does it pretty much throughout the meal. The only way we can even *sort of* control it is by limiting how much food goes on his plate. Even then, he throws things aside -- and it's not necessarily things he doesn't want, & it's not out of boredom, & taking the food away completely only stops him 'til we give the food back (or start the next meal). He doesn't even take any pleasure out of it, he just does it. Maybe you lucked out that your kids don't toss food? I'm kind of jealous!!

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by karika

but I really do not like the idea of any of the devices you strap a child into, it just freaks me out somehow. Both of my girls have eaten while walking around as babies, or on a blanket.

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I am not keen on this for our family. We do eat together at the table as a family and dd sits in her booster/high chair, strapped in and we enjoy the meal together A prt peeve of mine is kids wandering around eating and drinking.

[tallulahma]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy

We don't use a highchair & DS throws food on the floor nevertheless. It's not a matter of noticing it for us... because he does it pretty much throughout the meal. The only way we can even *sort of* control it is by limiting how much food goes on his plate. Even then, he throws things aside -- and it's not necessarily things he doesn't want, & it's not out of boredom, & taking the food away completely only stops him 'til we give the food back (or start the next meal). He doesn't even take any pleasure out of it, he just does it. Maybe you lucked out that your kids don't toss food? I'm kind of jealous!!

i may have lucked out! or this third one may do it- thats how it goes, soon as you think you have it figured out- the next one comes along and changes everything!

Originally Posted by Youngfrankenstein

I am not keen on this for our family. We do eat together at the table as a family and dd sits in her booster/high chair, strapped in and we enjoy the meal together A prt peeve of mine is kids wandering around eating and drinking.

lol... that may also be the reason-

i let my kids walk around with snacks....or sit on blankets- we have been known to all sit on the floor with the kids or at the coffee table on floor pillows.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by tallulahma

i let my kids walk around with snacks....or sit on blankets- we have been known to all sit on the floor with the kids or at the coffee table on floor pillows.

You've gotta do what works for you!

[EdnaMarie]

is this more common with high chairs?

i just honestly cant think of a time when ive seen my kids just start tossing around food or cups.

I have to clean the floor after every meal because of accidental crumbs or spills and such...

except if it was a large wasting of food` id be upset.

but we all eat together at the table, so i would notice before they started throwing things that they were bored/done.

We all eat together, but they don't always like everything they're served and some things are really interesting to play with, apparently. (Chickpeas come to mind, LOL!) We don't use a high chair after 6 months. They just... I don't know. Gravity + small manipulatives = wheeeee!

[Super~Single~Mama]

Originally Posted by karika

babies this age are not able to learn any 'rules' IMO. Children developmentally are not ready for 'rules' (if you choose to have any) until age 3 or so. So taking food away is only going to 'teach' them that mommy or daddy took the food away, they cannot put it together yet that it is a consequence.

Really? B/c I taught my ds not to bite me by having a consequence each and every time he bit me. He learned not to bite while nursing, b/c if he does there is no more nursing, and he learned not to bite other times b/c I would put him in his pack n play for a break. He gets it, and now he gives everyone kisses and doesn't bite hardly ever (kissing was the alternative that I introduced to him). I know its off topic for this thread, but I think regularly enforced consequences CAN have a positive effect. Maybe not in the context of food throwing.

[EdnaMarie]

Children developmentally are not ready for 'rules' (if you choose to have any) until age 3 or so.

I'm with thyra. The "don't hurt others" rule starts early at our house, and they get it. They try to hide what they've done if they have hurt someone. And they get consequences! Definitely. I mean... we mainly have positive consequences, but they certainly learn from those. You pee on the potty, mummy is thrilled. You come when we ask, you get a huge hug. Consequences, if they are realistic and positive, absolutely work with most young toddlers.

[psychobillymama]

I really don't fret over the food tossing. We just try to give DS a little at a time. Some of it always ends up on the floor. I think it's just part of the age. For me, unless it's destructive, disrespectful, or dangerous I let it go.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by thyra

Really? B/c I taught my ds not to bite me by having a consequence each and every time he bit me.

I'd also say that babies learn to sign and communicate and have tons of associates with loveys and the like. I'd think they could associate throwing food with food taken away.

[starbuckmom]

I have only read the post on the 2nd page but I will put my 2 cents worth in.

To answer the OP question: No, I do not allow my toddlers (twins) to throw food on the floor. If they are doing that, then they are done at the table. It usually means they are full and have started playing around. Now, I get that they are young and are mastering skills eating with utinsels (which my two are doing great at!!) so some food is going to end up on the floor. Good thing for brooms, vacuum cleaners and Jackson (our dog) to clean up whats on the floor.

As for learning rules at this age. You bet they can. They are starting to understand right and wrong. Understand consequences if they choose to do something they know mommy and daddy would like them not to do.

For the younger ages when they throw, it's all about cause and effect!!

[happysmileylady]

Originally Posted by lifeguard

As soon as ds starts throwing we say 'i guess you're done eating' & take it away. If he wants it back he gets it back but if it's thrown again we take it away again. It took quite a bit of repitition of this but he generally no longer throws his food.

This exactly, except the second time, it's gone for good. We do, if we catch her getting ready to drop it, tell her no. And actually that does stop her about 50% of the time.

[gagin37]

throwing food gets ds put in time out. first time, he gets a warning. if he does it again, meal is over and to time out he goes. It worked really well, he really only got in trouble for it twice. Of course accidents happen, and that's ok. Looking me in the eye and throwing food right after I told him no, is not.