So, lately (for about the past couple of months) the Sunnyboy (aka: Asher) has decided that he no longer has a need for his highchair. Fast-forward through battles, tantrums, etc.
Sunny has kinda been a "grazer" for most of his self-feeding days in general (from about 9 months on), so it wasn't really surprising to The Hubby (aka: Josh) and me that he didn't want to be constricted & restrained once he had the magical ability to walk & eat.
I usually serve his snacks on a little table like the one pictured above (from Ikea), so it wasn't a far leap to begin experimenting with serving lunch, etc. in that same area. I started with foods that he wouldn't normally use utensils for: The grandparents recently had mailed a care package complete with Barilla Cut Spaghetti. At first, I thought, "What a gimic! I can cut my own son's pasta!". Well, lemme tell ya, moms of toddlers & others who I know can understand, sometimes you have mere moments to tame the hungry afternoon bear boy and this pasta was a lifesaver! (Not to mention, he loved it being the perfect size for his little fingers).
I did strip him down to his diaper (turned the heat up a bit in the room), and placed the table on our wooden floor making it easier for clean-up or the doggie-vacuum (aka: "CJ", yellow Lab/Golden Retriever 5 year-old).
Sunnyboy has since graduated to enjoying all of his meals in this location, and our battles over eating seem to have ceased for the time being. He's quite proud of his new-found freedom! (and Mama is busy cleaning up...)
I'm by no means a proponent of letting toddler whims rule the house, but this to me was different. It was a Mama&Sun working together to find a solution that works for all of us, and that, I applaud ;-)
You should check into doing bento boxes or muffin tin lunches with him since he likes to finger feed and graze! I love his little ankles crossed while eating!
ReplyDeleteJosh (aka Asher's Daddy) used to do the grazing. We would begin the meal at the table and he would end it with grazing. I like the idea of your version of control. (aka his eating at a table at his level.) In my opinion there is nothing wrong with grazing as long as Mommy and Daddy have the control (which I believe you 2 do) and he understands where his limits are, as in no throwing food and stuff like that. The reigning in to the "big people's table" will come with time and in bits and pieces. There is time for that. I also think he has too much energy and too much on his mind for sitting still. :)
ReplyDeletealso, I love the pictures here, Hannah.
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