Dinner time probs

muffinthemoo I didn't see that post - in which case I apologise to Retr0Gran - do you think someone has hijacked her name perhaps?

I have several times come across people frustrated by slow eating children and see no reason to doubt this post.
Well, these people will have to learn to be more patient, allow for this, unless they want the child to develop eating problems in their teenage years.
To make children cry because they are slow eaters is inexcusable. I can remember when it happened to me (at school) and the distress can make your throat close up so that you can't swallow at all.

I asked for my post to be deleted which explained that in fuller details.

I'm not at all surprised that OP hasn't come back. She asked for help/suggestions and has had slmost entirely criticism (some quite unpleasant), almost no sympathy and now people thinking she's a wind up! Ok I agree with a lot of what has been said but the tone has been very critical. I have several times come across people frustrated by slow eating children and see no reason to doubt this post.

Jalima the one post I remembered was last one of page 2 of this (incredibly sad) thread. www.gransnet.com/forums/bereavement/1244165-Grief?pg=2

That was where I recognised the username from, is this one poster with two usernames? (retrogran and Retr0gran)

Never seen the toilet one before! (When you need to go, you need to go...)

www.gransnet.com/forums/chat/1248652-Pull-in-or-not
even the most caring Gransnetters tended towards scepticism

Are you sure muffinthemoo and MawBroon?

The only other thread I recall started by this poster was one about a DGD needing the toilet and DD refusing to let her go .....
We've had one or two of those

Maybe therein lies the 'eating problem'.

If Retr0gran rarely sees her Grandchildren perhaps she is not that close to them to understand their ways or their food likes and dislikes.

She could be over fussing and over compensating for the amount of time she hasn't/doesn't have contact with them.

Although I do not share OP’s views, I too think it is entirely genuine.

Retr0gran is an existing GN poster who posted before on a thread in Relationships about feeling estranged from the grandchildren she rarely sees.

I believe this thread is a legitimate one.

Sorry wrong message ! I’ve posted accidentally

Not sure if my message reached on here
I am devasted for their plight and I cannot imagine how their poor parents and families are feeling .. Please God let everybody get out safely

Most children eat at their own pace until they're satisfied.

When my grandchildren visit we all sit at the table and socialize. The children join in the conversation and it usually takes them several minutes to eat their food....after that, they may or may not ask to be excused. They also know to put their plate next to the sink and that it's not an issue if there's still any food left left on them.

If you insist they finish before they're ready, they may actually get an upset stomach from being forced to eat hurriedly. Similarly, being forced to eat everything on their plate is detrimental. Dinnertime should be a pleasurable, stress free event.

Am I the only fast eater on here? I can't bear cold food and always eat as fast as I can while it is still hot! I always eat the boring bits first and save the best bits until last, so wouldn't dream of leaving them on my plate.
Having said that I wouldn't force anyone else to do the same, especially small children.

There are now classes for 'picky eaters'!!

If I was in the room, I'd tell them to pelt Granny with the food

[ducks for cover]

I don't think it ought to matter that they are slow eaters as long as they're behaving nicely and not playing with the food. They will soon grow out of it.

Yes it seems as if this thread is a wind-up


As Brenda from Bristol said:
"Not another one"!

DD2 used to be a slow eater. When DD1 started school she came home for lunch and I thought DD2 would never have finished eating in time to take DD1 back to school. I had visions of pushing her along in her high chair, eating her pudding! I used to sit knitting while DD2 was eating up. Quite relaxing, really.

Yes it seems as if this thread is a wind-up ?

No response from OP. Methinks yet another windup post, to get everyone worked up. This site is being flamed.

Eating slowly and chewing well, not rushing or gorging is good. Tiny helpings on small plates. A casual ‘there’s more if anyone is still hungry’, when finished is fine. No rushing, no pressure is better. Perhaps a simpler meal? Sounds as if you have prepared something elaborate. Many people show love by feeding, even over feeding. Is it possible that you are doing this a little. Children of this age will be happy with a baked potato and beans (half a large potato) or a little pasta with sauce and/or a little grated cheese. Simple is good.

My youngest was very slow eating , he started to cry if the others got their pudding while he was still at the spuds , I took his dinner away and he had his pud , then asked for the dinner back , of course I gave it to him , he is still a slow eater , quick witted , but slow mover too .

No child should ever be put under pressure to eat up to the point that they are crying. In my opinion that is verging on emotional abuse.

Husband and I are taking our 3yr old GS out to dinner tonight, we shall, as always order his food on arrival. So that we can have a pre-dinner drink. He can then take his time over his mains whilst we have our starter. When we have our main course, he is more than happy to try everything, as he is relaxed and not overly hungry, having had his own meal.

At home we sit and chat with GC whilst they are eating(if they are having their meal earlier than us), no pressure to eat up, no promise of treat. You only have to read the papers or watch the news to see that there is an epidemic of eating disorders arising, both obesity and anorexia and bulimia.

Please give the poor Grandchildren a break.

if you need to leave for an appointment surely you would just fed them earlier ?

Toddlers always seem to take ages to eat their meals.
I know my dgs does.

If my daughter has to get him out for an appointment or any reason, it can become a bit of a battle ground.

So I can sympathise with retrogran.

Oh dear, was she a school teacher who wouldnt let the children go to the loo, in a former life?