We like to make mealtimes sociable and a time to talk about what we’re planning or what we’ve enjoyed doing. Once you’ve got more than one little one to feed, mealtimes require a bit more planning. Charlie loved having Rebecca sitting at the table at mealtimes, and as she did from her first week, it was a natural transition when the time came for her to start eating meals. But sometimes we have indoor picnics or pizza nights which is a rare but fun treat.
Some tips:
Involve them in the menu. I try and give them choices about what they’re going to eat, but to the extent that I’m prepared for either option. For example “would you like pancakes or cereal for breakfast” or “pitta bread and hummus or ham sandwiches for lunch”.
Get them to help. From as early as possible Charlie was “helping” prepare some of the food. Some of it may not have been salvageable initially, but he’s now getting pretty good at peeling carrots, chopping up mushrooms and cucumber and buttering bread. He also loves stirring things or adding pasta to a saucepan or water. All little, pretty harmless activities that make them feel involved. It’s also a great way to introduce new foods. Sometimes, we sit together and I cut up a new fruit or vegetable and everyone would try a bit. Rebecca now gets very excited when she sees mangoes or kiwis.
Meals that are more “picky” are popular, especially when we have friends for meals. The older ones like making their own pizza (even the ready bought cheese and tomato ones you can add a selection of your own toppings to). Fajitas are great, babies can suck on the meat and veg sticks, toddlers have fun and adults can spice them up with salsa and other sauces. We’ve also had pasta evenings where everyone has a plain bowl of fusilli and there are bowls of toppings they can add as they like (cheese, pesto, sweetcorn and peperoni are always popular).
Using the same plates. We have several of the same plates/bowls/cups. This can really reduce arguments about who has the blue or orange plate or the green cup at meal times. Four sets of four normally covers all eventualities!
Sticker charts. We went through a fussy period and used a sticker chart to reward “good eating”, by that we meant sitting nicely at the table and making a decent attempt at whatever was on the plate (not necessarily eating everything). Every now and then we revisit it for a week or so and a cheap pound store toy as a reward works as amazing encouragement!
Mealtimes with two
(or more)
“We like to make mealtimes sociable and a time to talk about what we’re planning or what we’ve enjoyed doing”
by Caroline Ledger
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