How can I break this habit (involves use on TV!)

My almost 2 year old DS has never been highly motivated by food - he would rather play. We have used the TV to get him to eat his meals and I hate it now! He will eat all his vegies and almost any food presented if watching the TV. If it's not on he will hardly eat anything at all and just wants to get out of his chair and play. It's a terrible habit I have fallen in to, I know, but how do I stop it and keep him nourished?? He is a bit of a live wire and hates to sit still (dislikes the restraint of the car, pram, high chair ect) but will sit happily in his high chair watching the dreaded TV. Should I just stop using it and let him go hungry for a bit until he gets the idea or what? It's so hard when I know he will easily eat healthy food if I use this tool.

I am a bit ashamed that I have allowed this to happen as I used to critisise other parents for doing this before I had children.

Any suggestions?

Will he sit there if you sit with him? Make a game then maybe eventually he might sit there. Also what about music will he sit and listen to music of say the wiggles or something. My 2 year old is a pain to try and get to sit and eat a meal too but i think that persistance is the key. I know its frustrating but we just keep getting him to sit and eat until we feel he has had enough. Kids won't starve but i know what you mean they need to eat something. I don't think that watching tv is a big drama but if you hate it then stop it, as long as he eats is what really matters, and atleast he will play and does not want to watch tv alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll day.

HTH Nikki

Jac I wouldn't personally go down the "Should I just stop using it and let him go hungry for a bit until he gets the idea" track but with lots of patience slowly wean him off the tv when eating. You could do this by starting with the tv on then turning it off say one minute before the end of his meal (so he starts eating with it on and only has a few mouthfuls left by the times it goes off) and then increase the number of minutes every few days so it is done really subtly? It may take a few weeks but may be worth it. We had a similiar issue with DD in that she would only eat when she had toys in her hand and distractions. She would literally keep her lips together until toys appeared then her mouth would spring open. The way we got out of this habit was unplanned- while we were away staying at inlaws house over Christmas she didn't have the toys there so had to eat without them. Maybe you could change the scene for a meal in the day- eg picnic on the back lawn, in the park etc so he can get used to eating away from the dreaded tv?

Our girls love their food BUT- when they lose track of eating we ask them if they can eat their food like an animal
example being - 'who can eat their trees (broccoli)like a dinosaur?"
OR "How does a crocodile eat thier food - can you show me"
etc etc - they think its a great game and now my little one (21 months) will say "shark mum" and take a massive bite of her sausage or whatever.

Its all about making life in to one big game in our house!

Umm, I wouldn't worry about it. If he eats in front of the telly, let it be.

Gawd, I'd never get DD's hair done if it wasn't for telly! The only reason she ate dinner tonight was because I had a story CD and a book at the table!

Jac - I am so glad you have started this thread! I have the same problem with my DS.. and it's my fault because I used to like to watch the news while he was having his dinner. And Sunrise in the morning (you get my drift..). Now he watches dvd's and I didn't realise how addicted he had become until he had a screaming meltdown the other night because I didn't put the tv on.
So we are working on it slowly and trying to comprimise a bit. If he eats his cereal in the dining room, he can have toast in front of the tv (which also gives me time to get ready for the day!). The past couple of nights he has been hysterical once he realises we are eating at the table, but I have put on a cd of kids songs and read him a story etc. Last night was a lot better and less tears and lots more food was eaten. On the nice nights we have been eating outside and he doesn't even think about tv because there is so much else to look at.

I am a bit torn over the whole tv thing.. I don't mind it and even like watching it myself :lol: but I recently went to a girlfriends house and her little girl couldn't even say hello because she was hypnotized by the tv which made me have a bit of think about how much DS already watches. I have also been making a big deal of turning it off - I get him to say goodbye the character on the tv (Igglepiggle on high rotation at the moment!) so that he knows its going off.

I agree that it's not good long-term to have him eating in front of the TV for a whole range of reasons. He should be aware of what he's eating at least.

My DD loves us all sitting down to eat with her. We always have breakfast together, I have lunch with her and just recently we've all started sitting down to dinner as a family. It means she's going to bed 15-30 mins later (but then we're free for the whole evening with no dinner to worry about for ourselves!). She loves our attention and the chats we have. She's also more likely to just eat away 'cause she's watching us.

If you can't do every meal all together, try to sit with him where possible. Get him involved in the preparation, even if it's only to have him watch, or choose some foods for himself (carrots or peas, whichever spread on his sandwich, whatever is possible but no trouble). Get him to pick which plate he'd like, spoon or fork, cup, etc. Get him a new placemat with his favourite character, but tell him it can only be used at the table. If you provide the enthusiasm around the actual food and the eating it might motivate him to join in. I would perhaps even promise him if once he's finished as much as he wants (or stays at the table for a set time or until Mummy's done, whatever he's capable of) he can watch something special on TV. That way he doesn't think he's missing out. Maybe try telling him his favourite DVD/program isn't on until after lunch/dinner?

Some of the other girls had some great suggestions around entertaining him during the meal. The up side is if you just discontinue the TV with no other change he won't starve. He's just testing how long you'll hold out before giving in to him! ;)