She really hates her highchair!!

[Shanti]

think being a parent teaches us a lot about thinking outside of the square and flexibility

Oh for sure! I have learnt many 'new ways' since becoming a Mum hehe

We sometimes do the coffee table thing too.... it's a good height for her to stand at too.

[bubno.3]

Hi

I have two children the youngest 21 mths .... I would ignore the 'tantrums' that she pulls when you want her to sit in the chair and just sit her there then distract her ... she will forget all about being in the chair i promise. I just feel if a 13 mths throws a wobbly then gets out of sitting in the chair they will learn to do the arching of the back and more screaming will get her more play time all the time. I honestly would try to ignore be firm and tell he NO mummy wants you to sit here for lunch dinner or quiet time ' So you as mum can feed her or have 10 mins for you to do whatever ... she can still watch you .

Cheers

[~Kim~]

All the other girls have given great advice, but here's my take;
If I'm at the table eating then the kids are more likely to be happy to sit in their appropriate spots to sit and eat too, but sometimes I don''t feel like that and I like to graze or sit outside, or even sit on the floor with the kids. As long as we eat together if that's what I want, does it really matter where they eat?
While I do generally agree with you bubno3 about the tantrums, sometimes avoiding them at all is much more productive.

[Shanti]

Bubno3 - thanks for your post. I have tried telling DD very firmly "no you need to sit here so Mummy can eat her meal then you can go down" but she won't cooperate and just keeps screaming and it is not enjoyable to sit there while she's having her moment so it's just easier and less stressful for everyone, if we just put her down. If she doesn't want to eat, then she misses out I guess. I'm not going to fight with a 1yr old who is not capable of 'reasoning' at this age yet.... and let's face it, some kids are more 'strong willed' than others, ie my DD is one of them!!!

Kim - thanks Kim. good way of looking at it.

well tonight's dinner was a SUCCESS! First dinner in ages that didn't involve back arching or screaming or whatever! We took the tray off the ikea highchair and pushed her up against the dining table (its similar height) and she could eat off the plate that was on the table.... she felt like a big kid sitting with us I guess LOL!!!
AND she ate more than she usually does!! Yeah success.!
That is what we are going to do from now on!