Kids won’t sit for dinner?

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Now... onto our weekly 3 things...

1️⃣ A question from our community

2️⃣ Our actionable tips

3️⃣ A resource from our toolkit

1. The question

“How can I get my kids to actually stay at the table during meals?”

2. Our actionable tips

Does it feel impossible to get your kids to stay at the table during meals?  

You’re not alone… this is a VERY common parenting challenge that we have ourselves! 

Let’s face it, mealtime shouldn’t feel like a game of musical chairs, so here are a few practical tips to make mealtime calmer from Jenilee, a pediatric occupational therapist…

Create a Comfortable Environment 

Have you considered your kids' seating at meals?

As occupational therapists, this is something we think about ALL THE TIME. 

The right seating can make a HUGE difference in helping your kids stay engaged and comfortable during mealtime.

Being ‘uncomfortable’ at the table can lead to lots of squirming. And when we’re squirming, we’re not eating, right?

So first, make sure your kids’ chairs provide proper back support and allow their feet to rest flat on the ground (or on a footrest).  

You can check out our favorite seating option under the ‘Toolkit’ section of this message.

Meet Their Sensory Needs (before the meal!)

If your kids have lots of energy like ours… a quick movement break BEFORE meals can make all the difference. 

Have them spend time outside and encourage activities like running, jumping, climbing, and swinging. This kind of ‘active play’ will help them burn off extra energy and regulate their bodies, making it easier for them to focus and stay seated during meals.

If outdoor play isn’t an option, indoor movement works too! 

Try a quick family dance party, a few minutes of jumping on a mini trampoline, or playing a game like “Simon Says.”

Make Mealtime Fun

We want to create a calm and consistent (yet FUN!) mealtime routine where our kids know what to expect and the focus is on food and family. 

That means… turn off the TV and put away all of the toys. 

These distractions compete for your kids' attention and will contribute to the chaos.

Instead, you can ask your kids about their day, play a simple game like “favorites,” or make up funny stories together. 

When they feel engaged, they’re more likely to stay put!

We’ve seen these strategies transform mealtime in our home. It's more peaceful, and we leave the table feeling more connected and less like we want to pull our hair out!

3. From our toolkit

Want to see our favorite seating option that grows with your child? 

Or, need some tools to make meals more enjoyable for everyone? 

Check out our Mealtime Amazon Favs here! 

We’ve gathered some of our family must-haves, from lunch boxes and bowls to placemats and tools to help get your kids safely involved with meal prep.

These items have truly helped make mealtime smoother and more enjoyable for us, and we’re excited to share them with you. Take a look and find something that might work for your family too.

As always, thanks for being here. 🙂

❤️ Jenilee & Greg

*We personally use and love all of the products and resources we suggest. If you decide to check out any of the affiliate links we share, just know that we may get a small commission.