Is 3 years old too big for a high chair?

[HeatherPage]

We still use a high chair mostly when we go out to eat because he won't stay in a booster seat. Are we the only ones out there whose 3 year old does better in a high chair? Are we taking the easy way out and should just be putting him in a booster seat all the time when we go out (which isn't very often) no matter how much of a pain it is?

 

[nygrl]

We still use a high chair mostly when we go out to eat because he won't stay in a booster seat. Are we the only ones out there whose 3 year old does better in a high chair? Are we taking the easy way out and should just be putting him in a booster seat all the time when we go out (which isn't very often) no matter how much of a pain it is?

my 3 year old has been out of his high chair in restaurants for a while now. i dont even bother with booster seats. i do however always try to get a booth and i put him on the inside so he cant get out. he usually sits on his knees and we very rarely have a problem.

 

[jckdisneybound]

My DD has been out for a while now also. Like the OP said, we always try to get a booth in case we have to "corral" her. I'd start getting used to it, he will have to learn some how.

 

[tjmw2727]

My rule was always, whatever works!

Especially in the wdw restaurants with the wooden high chair when it is pulled up to the table and everyone is eating together, why not? If he is happy, safe and comfortable, and you are happy and comfortable then keep him in it as long as he will go for it.

TJ

 

[all4fun]

My rule was always, whatever works!

Especially in the wdw restaurants with the wooden high chair when it is pulled up to the table and everyone is eating together, why not? If he is happy, safe and comfortable, and you are happy and comfortable then keep him in it as long as he will go for it.

TJ

ITA! It's your vacation. Do whatever works for you, and don't worry what others think.

 

[Evil Queen]

I say do what works for you and your family.

I got a little p/o.'d last week at IHOP, one family sits down as their DD's (this term is used loosely in this case) approx. 2 & 3 are running wild, screaming, crying, etc (which I can deal with, hey as a parent I understand-to a degree), but the Mom says to her Mother, about a young girl about 4 or so sitting in a high chair, "That girl's too old to be in that chair, I would never do that!" Well, guess which girl was more enjoyable to be around? We left without finishing our breakfast there. We got to-go boxes and went to the beach.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I agree that if that is working for you family it is no buisness of anyone else. We too found that the inside of the booth worked really well by that age. However if your child is pretty small he can eat better in a high chair. It contains the child which is a safety issue as well as being respectful to others. Maybe start trying him in a booth or chair for desert and see how it goes. Enjoy the trip and do not sweat the little things.


Jordan's mom

 

[PrincessasMommy]

My middle dd is 2 1/2 and I put her in the highchair - we have 3 dd's and like to enjoy our meal and keep them "contained". Who would you prefer to sit near? I don't think it's too old.

 

[Selket]

My DS turned 3 in Jan. and most of the time he will sit in the seat. If your child fits and is happy why not? I think when they are ready to come out they won't let you put them in the high chair. If DS is misbehaving we can usually say "we're getting you a high chair if...." and he straightens right up!

 

[ptslp]

My ds is 2 1/2 and has been out of the highchair since just before he was 2, partly because we had another child. He is also a mild mannered child, who will listen and sit well- we eat out often and he has learned what is expected of him. He can and will sit on a chair or in a booth for the duration of a meal. My nephew will be 3 in 2 weeks and needs a high chair. He is just full of energy and when he sits on a regular chair or booth, it is very hard to handle him and enjoy a meal.

That being said, I think it totally depends on the child and parents. Don't worry about what others thing- do what is right for you- which way will you and your child enjoy the meal more? You can try to transition him to a chair if you are ready, but as a previous poster said, maybe do it in stages, starting with dessert, etc.

 

[disneychrista]

While I think that you have to do what works for you. I also think you need to give your child time to learn to sit in the booster. If you just continue to put in a highchair because it is easier then, I think you are doing your daughter and yourself a disservice. Of course I would work on the booster at home before I tried it in a restaurant.

 

[the kabuki]

Since you asked, my 3 were out of highchairs at home by 1 and out of them in restuarants by 2. Does that mean yours' should be?? NO, do what you want & you're comfortable with.

BTW-never did the boosters, kids seemed to always tip over on them, especially on chairs.

 

[moopdog]

Out of high chairs by one... then bought the clip on the table kindof seat... which is a Godsend. Now my youngest is 2.5 and climbs out of whatever she's in so we are sort of just letting her sit in a normal chair/no booster. She has ants in her pants no matter what she's in anyway, so we might as well just give up with the seat thing! In restaurants... regular seat preferably a booth. Do what works for you! If your son is well-behaved I would at least "try" a normal seat. If it doesn't work out, use a booster once... if that doesn't work, back to the drawing board (in this case, a highchair!). Good luck!

 

[tjmw2727]

While I think that you have to do what works for you. I also think you need to give your child time to learn to sit in the booster. If you just continue to put in a highchair because it is easier then, I think you are doing your daughter and yourself a disservice. Of course I would work on the booster at home before I tried it in a restaurant.

While I agree with you to a point, I don't think it takes much to teach a toddler to sit without the high chair. Mine oldest stayed in a hc for quite a while as I had my younger dd. Sure it was easier for me, she fit and was happy. When it was time to move her she never had a problem sitting in a regular chair, in fact we never used a booster at all.

I also think that maybe a WDW vacation and the over stimulated atmosphere of WDW is not a good place to start. If it were me I would keep the child in the highchar especially for WDW. It may give him a chance to sit, take in the sights, draw, eat and relax with mom & dad.

Again, because of the design of the wooden chairs and the fact that they are at a table with you not separated like an infant type high chair they are great for WDW.

After vacation or at any point when the OP feels its time I am sure the child will be great in a booster or regular chair. FWIW, I consider the sassy or clip on chair in the category of a high chair, JMHO.

TJ

 

[disneychrista]

While I agree with you to a point, I don't think it takes much to teach a toddler to sit without the high chair.

That was pretty much my point. That if you never give the child a chance to sit without the high chair then they are never going to learn to do it. That this is something that you have to work on at home before you try it at a restaurant. And WDW if not the place to begin this.

 

[BevS97]

I think they are more comfortable in a high chair, I wouldn't want to eat perched on my knees so I don't expect my kids too. My 7 year old still uses a 'tall' chair at home (looks like a normal chair but has longer legs). My 1 1/2 year old uses a high chair but we prefer the kind that let her sit at the table rather than with a tray.

 

[Bird-Mom]

That was pretty much my point. That if you never give the child a chance to sit without the high chair then they are never going to learn to do it. That this is something that you have to work on at home before you try it at a restaurant. And WDW if not the place to begin this.

I think each child has a different age at which they can learn. I wouldn't worry that he will be 10 and still sitting in a highchair. Let him learn at his own pace and do what works for your family. My dd just turned 3, and she has only been in a booster the last 2 times we went out to eat only because she is getting too big for the wooden chairs (about 36 pounds and 39 inches). At home we have the boosters that strap on to a regular chair and buckle the child in; both girls use these. They might be good for learning. I do think it is important to keep children in check at the restaurant so they aren't running all over, and if the highchair is what does it for you, who cares what anyone else says?

 

[HeatherPage]

Thanks for the replies. He is getting a tad too tall (about 41 inches) and is about 38 pounds. He's sat in booster seats but like another poster said there is that tipping over factor. He's also just sat in the booth boxed in (and was sitting on his knees). He is a very energetic kid (not rude just very curious - on the go type). He likes to turn around and look at people in the booths behind him when he's not in a high chair which drives me crazy and I try to get him to sit forward towards his food/us. So lately we start out in the booth but end up in the high chair for him to eat. I guess we'll just see what his moods are once we're there and see how it goes.
Thanks again for the replies

 

[KimWDW]

My son will be 3 in a couple months and he still eats in a high chair. He doesn't mind and it works for us.

 

[ladypoo]

my granddaughter is 4 1/2 years and she has just in the last 3 months graduated to a booster out of her highchair. she does well in regular chairs as far as being still, but getting her close to the table to eat is easier in the booster.