Andy is known with great infamy to be the "Slow Eater" of the family. So much to the point where tears are often spawned at the end of each meal as the rest of the family is ready to go play games while Andy is left facing a half-finished meal.
In trying to scientifically examine this behavior, I have concluded that the cause is psychological, and certainly not physical. In proof, I site every trip to to get either ice cream or doughnuts. On those cases, Andy is ALWAYS first to finish.
So, I think he just gets bored with eating things that don't tickle his sweet tooth. He just kinda sits there and talks or observes others instead of eating when faced with a regular meal.
Anyone know any tricks to speed things up at the dinner table?
6 comments:
I had a daughter who was a fussy eater - broke my heart - I have reently sent her an article as to solutions for this common childhood problem. Children have 30% more taste buds than adults - I say put Truvia or splenda on all his food! Ah, those simple nana solutions. Reward chart with once a week donut treat would probay work. Best idea yet, let him chose the reward. Children are often harder on themselves then we are.
This old man who eats way too fast says Andrew may have the right idea. I bet when he gets deeper into sports he'll get more hungry for all kinds of food. One other thought which I would be happy to implement when around him, either parent (who are busy as hell, I know) engage him in conversation. The little guy likes to talk as you well know.
We have tried rewards, they don't seem to do much to speed things up, in fact they cause additional crying when he feels like he has to finish and everyone else has left the table... maybe Im doing it wrong.
Dick - I hope you are right on the sports, although I dont want to wait that long :) Help me understand the conversation idea, Im not sure I get it... he definitely talks a lot at dinner (in fact we we have been trying to get him talk less and chew more.)
how about talking being the reward? what do you all do when you are done eating and leave the table and he sits there and cries - does his crying get him sympathy? Don't reward bad behavior. Learned that one from Woody and T. Ask tanya for the article I mailed her. Does he come back later being hungry?
Afterthoughts:
1. What does an old man know about eating slow? Nuttin!
2. If I remember correctly, Katie started eating better when she gained her important place at the table.
3. I'm not sure talking to Andrew will help him eat faster but it will make his Grandpa slow down!
4. Isn't his Daddy a serious "treat" eater?
I only wish the best for the whole family and hope it works out for all concerned.
Kevin is the slow eater in our family, heehee!
We haven't come up against this with our kids (so far anyway!) but hypothetically speaking, I guess I'd tell everyone that when the family is done eating, dinner is over, and the next meal is breakfast. It might take a night or two of a kid crying because they don't like having their food taken away, but hopefully they'd learn quickly that dinnertime is for eating etc. (I know, I'm probably really mean!)
Miss you guys!
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