Ideas to get a 2yo to sit still @ TS meal?

[soccerchick]

For the past few weeks, DS, almost 2, has decided to eat and run or eat and try to climb on mom's lap. He's been sitting in a booster for a while at home. When we go out, we still get a high chair, esp. since he's pretty skinny. We pack snacks like Cheerios, books, small cars, crayons, stickers, etc, etc but he's still a wiggle worm. We've tried making a game of eating like a big boy --ex. telling a story and for a certain word, he has to eat. We are sure to praise him when he sits nicely. We'd like to do some character meals at the parks, but I want to enjoy them.

Anyone wish to share what worked for you? My DD5 was always good. She could keep herself busy and sit so well. This little guy is something else though

Thanks for sharing your ideas!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Good luck! Our 3rd child (2.5 yo dd) has been the worst. In May, she did the best at character meals -- not that she ate anything. Oh, and there was the time she slept through our meal at Alfredo's. That was really good. It's a shame her 4 yo db didn't do the same!

 

[pinkdiamonds1007]

When my dd was very young..she was a little antsy when waiting at reastaurants or while waiting for appointments and such. So one day, I went to the Toy Store alone, and bought a new small fun kid backpack..ours is Dora the Explorerer..and I filled it with new toys *small things, like fun packs of playdough and small cookie cutters, small action figures, or dolls, a new book, a change purse and some coins *the play kind*, the simplist things like paperclips as well entertained her for a good 10 to 15 min. (trying to link them together.) Anyway..we filled the bag up with new things she had not seen before, then waited to give it to her to play with when we were eating out, or before a dr's appt. This way..she was discovering these things for the first time..it kept her busy while we enjoyed our meal.

Hope that helped.
Good Luck and have a fun trip.
My dd was over her antsy period by her 3rd bday..now she sits great when we are waiting or while we are out. I am sure you little guy will too.
Enjoy your trip.
Nicole

 

[Princess Glenda]

We've always taken along some odds and ends to help just in case. Small Magnadoodles (our favorite help), crayons and paper, small toys, goldfish crackers, cherrios, etc. DS always did great because he enjoyed FOOD and people watching but DD has been more of a challenge. She tends to cuddle up to me or sit in my lap and squirm! She also eats very little in one sitting, but loves to eat mini meals throughout the day. I'm sure the character meals will be enjoyable. Just try to schedule them at a time when your little one will be rested and hungry.

 

[pbharris4]

My just turned 2 yo DD has just started wanting out and then runs back to me to feed her (only at breakfast). She acts like she's done and then wants more. I always have them bring her stuff out first. We bring just a few small toys and the thing that entertains her the most (probably the same for most kids, too) is the sugar packets. I can't stand her to play with them though. In college I used to wait tables and I'd always have to put them back (and the manager would count them too!). So, to keep her happy, I let her play with them (she likes to take out and put them back). I apologize to the wait person. If they are nice about it (almost always are) I leave a little extra on the tip.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I think you'll be fine at a character meal. If you choose a buffet you can get the food right away and they usually have great kid offerings. Even the family style meals arrive very quickly.

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

It is the best investment we ever made. We use it on the plane, waiting in restaurants, waiting for parades to start. It works wonders.

 

[disneychrista]

Insist that he does so at home, is the first step. If you allow him to "eat and run" at home, he will expect to be able to do so at home.

Do you still have his high chair? Even at two, he should be able to understand consiquences. Have him sit in his booster and tell him that he is to sit there until YOU tell him he can get down. Also tell him if he can not be a big boy and sit in his booster that he will have to sit in his high chair. Give him ONE warning, if he gets up; tell him again what he needs to do. If he gets up again, put him in the high chair. Assuming that he doesn't want to be in the high chair a few meals of him having to sit in the chair because he won't stay in teh booster might just cure him of getting up.

Once he stays in his booster and now you are just worried that he will get bored at a T/S restaurant, you can work on distractions crayons and paper. small toys etc.

 

[soccerchick]

LOL ~ DH JUST brought the high chair up for company, and we did just that last night. We haven't used boosters in restaurants yet; my fear is with the crowds we won't be able to get one. I'm also going to try to get a belt (similar to ones on high chairs, etc.) to use w/ our booster until he does manage to sit for a while.

We're now in booster chair boot camp

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Two was when we started "resturant rules". We ate out a lot and wanted DS to be able to be well behaved in resturants so we started early. We always reminded him of the rules before we went in. Starting out the only rules were stay in the chair and use a quite voice. We worked our way up. Other things that worked were to not put him into his chair or booster till the food came. We would try to get a booth and he could sit with us till the food came. By three (he was very small) he prefered and did fine sitting on his knees in a booth. We also kept most of the attention on him at first. No time for adult confersation. Talk to him about what you see (plenty at all WDW resturants), play seek and find games, take "resturant toys" Toys you only bring out at resturants. Color WITH him rather than just handing him crayons. TAke a short walk while you wait for food. At buffets, give him very small amouts of a lot of different foods at a slow pace, choosing foods that take a while to eat. If you start with a salad, give him a pack of oyster crackers. I agree that at buffets the hardest part is getting him to eat, not be entertained. At least you are not paying for him yet!!! Also remember that WDW is VERY used to toddlers. It WILL be fine.

Jordans' mom