Mealtime with small children can be a challenging experience for many parents. Young children often have unpredictable eating habits and can be fussy eaters, making mealtime stressful and frustrating. Additionally, young children may have difficulty sitting still and staying focused during mealtime, which can lead to spills and messes. As a result, parents may feel stressed and overwhelmed during mealtime, which can affect the overall family dynamic.
We have talked with 3 families from our Parentboard about mealtime with their little ones. Continue reading and get their advice on how to make mealtime a more positive and enjoyable experience for both parents and children.
Eating together as a family
“We’ve noticed that our son is always in a really good mood at the dinner table and always enjoys himself. It has really changed the dynamic at our table - we eat, talk, and laugh so much more after our son started eating with us”.
- Danielle, mom to Noah
Eating together as a family can - as Danielle describes - serve as a time for connection, conversation, and bonding. By sitting down together and engaging in conversation, children can learn valuable communication and social skills, and feel a sense of belonging and connection to their family. Further, sharing meals provides an opportunity for parents or caregivers to model healthy eating habits and behaviors, and to create a positive relationship with food for children.
“Having consistent mealtimes is crucial for us; ideally, we all dine together. We incorporate feeding the baby into our routine by offering her the same food as us, allowing her to explore, enjoy and create her own experiences about the food”.
- Carina, mom to Linnéa
Allowing small children to self-feed during mealtime is an important part of their development and can have a positive impact on their relationship with food. When children are allowed to feed themselves, they have the opportunity to explore new foods, learn about different textures and tastes, and develop important motor skills.
Be patient
“Sometimes my little one will love a food one day and then not be interested in the same food the next day. Or he is not interested in trying new foods or eating the healthy options I serve. I just remain patient with him and remember that he is learning and that I can’t expect him to eat everything on his plate at every meal.”
- Victoria, mom to Boone
By remaining patient and calm during mealtime, parents can help create a positive atmosphere and promote enjoyable experiences for their children. This can help children develop healthy attitudes towards food and mealtimes. Further, children are more likely to cooperate and follow the rules when they feel that their parents are calm and patient.
Preparing food in advance
“On Sundays, I try to prepare meals for the little one and make enough food for the coming week. This makes things a lot easier for me because then all I have to do is defrost or warm it up”.
- Danielle, mom to Noah
When having small children, you may find that you have limited time to prepare meals. By preparing meals in advance, you can save time and have meals ready to go when you need them. Further, it can also help to reduce stress, as you won't have to worry about what to make for dinner or rush to prepare a meal when your children are hungry and cranky.
Help out in the kitchen
“If possible, I try to include my little one in simple tasks to help prepare the meal. One of my favorite things to do is bake homemade bread. My mom would bake bread when I was little, and I love that I can now do the same with my son”.
- Victoria, mom to Boone
Involving children in meal preparation has many benefits, even for young children. One benefit is that when children participate in meal preparation, they become more invested in the food they are making and are more likely to try new foods. This can help to encourage healthy eating habits from an early age. Further, it can be a fun way for families to spend time together, strengthening family bonds and creating positive memories.
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