Making changes at home? Any advice? | ADHD Information

My 9 year old daughter would eat every meal in front of tv if we let her. Our longstanding habit was we all eat in front of tv on sunday evenings only- it's something we have done as a family for years. She doen't have to eat with us at the table each night but the tv is off and she has to sit with us till we are mostly done eating. Usually she comes around and eats and joins in conversation with us. We do alow her to eat a second dinner in front of tv later if she is lookin g for her "second dinner"- usually on medicated school days. I think she's making up for slight loss of appetite durting day at school, especially during colder season. Had some profound advise I try to remember from daughter's first doctor when she was about two weeks old---"don't listen to anyone" meaning we all know and feel what's right for our children and familys. Good luck!

UPDATE

 

So far, so good. We told him he MUST eat dinner at the table, no tv for anyone. Lunch and breakfast are ok on snack trays as long as they are not *sloppy food* ie soup, anything with syrup, spaghetti, etc. SInce he loves all those sloppy things, that has been an incentive to get him to the table during lunch!

He tried to *plead* his case the other night, whining he didnt want to sit down, he is bored, yadda yadda yadda. but I stood firm and he came around. I am going to try the paper and crayons as his biggest complaint is he is *going to be bored!* That is his thing for everytime he is not *doing something* with his hands. HE IS BORED. I am also going to try the book of questions! HOw funny, I just got that for him for Christmas as he is always looking to know *why*!!!

 

Thanks ladies for all the good answers. We are adjusting to our new home, slowly but surely. Lots of new things and not all bad!

Reward him for every time he eats a meal at the table. maybe this will motivate him to do it a little easier.Well, I'm afraid I also let my kids eat too many meals in front of the TV or computer. My husband is seldom home at dinner time, and it's just easier, like you said, but you are motivating me to try to do more family meals in the New Year.
One suggestion I have to make mealtime at the table more fun, is to have some fun conversation-starters. For example, there is a book called The Kids' Book of Questions that just has interesting questions you can ask kids. Some are more "deep;" others not. My family used to play kind of a game of passing around an object like a small toy. The person who had the object would tell a story or something about their day and then pass it to the next person. Another idea would be to put white paper and crayons on the table, like they do at some restaurants, so everyone can doodle. The thing you don't want to have happen is have mealtime become a time where the child is constantly criticized for their terrible manners, inability to sit still, etc.
OH MY GOSH THE ALL IMPORTANT SNACK TRAY!!!! MT SON 9, HAS BEEN EATING AT A SNACK TRAY SINCE HE WAS A TODDLER. NOW WE HAVE BIG DOGS THAT WILL EAT HIS FOOD SO HE NEEDS TO SIT AT THE TABLE, THIS HAD BECOME A TRIGGER OF ANGER FOR HIM. IT IS VERY HARD FOR HIM TO ACCCEPT ANY SORT OF CHANGE SO THIS IS A BIG ONE. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SNACK TRAY ISSUE!

you ladies are the best! Thanks for all the good ideas! We are doing pretty good. Last night he came very willingly to the table. The only problem I seem to *see* is he doesnt eat as much at the table. He eats ALOT more when he has his snack tray. I know this is because he wants to get OUT of that chair ASAP! With the snack tray, he has the tv and it holds his attention. I wouldnt worry but he is 10 and only weighs 59 lbs.

I guess I will have to work on more creative ways to hold his interest at the table.

I am constantly trying to improve on routines and habits and for everything I take away I try to give something. Like maybe they can do make-your-own sundaes for dessert and have that in front of the TV during the "adjustment". You could try lfun placemats?? I want to create individual placesettings for special occasions that have a placemat, napkin ring, glass, silverware, etc in a theme for that person. Like my mother in law loves purples, so hers would be all purple. My son loves cars, so maybe cheap plastic stuff with cars. I like fine china! It will get worse before it gets better make sure you explain to him the changes and why.  Also do not give in stick to your guns and make sure to reward good behavior find the good and jump on it.  Good luck

We have always let our son eat his meals, snacks, etc on a snack tray. Usually in front of the tv. This is mostly my fault, because when I was a single mom, it was esaier. Then when I worked nights, it was easier for his brother to get him to eat. Ryan does NOT like to sit at the table at all. He says hes *bored*!!Thats his word when ever he doesnt want to do something.!

We have moved to a very nice home and my partner and I have decided we want/need Ryan to learn to eat at the table. He can have snacks at his snack tray but meals are to be eaten together. First to foster more socializing as a family and second to keep our nice living room/rug/couch clean!! LOL

Of course, change is hard and he is NOT happy he has to do this. WE got him to come to the table ONCE yesterday for breakfast which was good.

 

Any suggestions on making this transition easier for him? I know once its a routine, he will be ok but man he is bucking us all over the place. To the point where he will ask for snacks for dinner so he can *eat at his tray*!!

Thanks!

jacks889739447.502974537Hi. remember when our kids were babies and we weened them off of a bottle?  Changing their routine is like that don't you think?  I would try for one meal at a time, then work on the next one.  I would really start with dinner since that is somewhat of a main meal.  Make it all positive with him like if he comes and eats dinner at the table for so many nights he gets extra time on computer or video games.  We made a rule of no TV during meals, it is turned off. I had the same problems when we moved, and now that we are building I do NOT want my new stuff spilled on. So our No TV during meals works for us.