Mealtime Mayhem - Hackettstown,NJ

We just strapped my son in. It was in no way punitive, we just put him in his chair and locked it at the start of the meal. Soooo much easier to avoid this battle than to fight it. If she does stand up, then try telling her (politely as you have been) to sit down, then if she does not, repeating it, while helping her to sit down. If you just keep talking at her instead of physically assisting her to cooperate, it's just a game.

Yes, I think she should be strapped in. It prevents battles, that just don't seem worth fighting.

We have had the issues.. Try ( I said try, not always so easy) to just keep sitting her down and try not to get mad. Be matter of fact.

My 3 year old does this.. so if he gets up or stands at the table, we put him in time out. I did that about a week ago and dinner has been better. Just try to be consistent.

I don't have a standing room only toddler, I've always strapped him in the highchair so he can't stand even if he wants to. if you don't have one with a strap I would go to a seat that does.

If the booster does not have a seat belt, you can just use a belt to strap her in.

Or bring back the high chair with the tray. Tell her she will not get to sit in the booster until she stays sitting down.

No more loud reminders. Instead, tell her "You must be done" and take her out of her chair and go put her in her room. If she stands up in her high chair, she doesn't get to eat.

Give her 3 chances per meal. No meal if she goes over 3 chances. Only give her a snack before bed.

A few nights of this and she will stop standing up. It's a safety issue - she could fall on her head. Plus, she needs to learn table manners, and this will serve her well for home and others' homes, as well as restaurants.

Yes, she is enjoying testing mommy. But you must not let her win the test.

Dawn

time to lay the law down, because if she's not cooperating with you & following your instructions with the high chair....then she'll never stay in the booster!

I 2nd every single thing that Dawn B said....

the "you must be done" works like a charm! I always use that with my kids. I either go to clear their plate, or them, depending on what they are doing. I've only ever throw out one meal with my oldest, and my 23 month old usually responds immediately.

It is time for a booster seat. In fact, both of my kids went into a booster at 18 months. They are big enough to climb into their own seats, and it helps to reinforce their toddler independence. I truly believe the more you treat then like little people, the more they will act like little people.

This is why we decided to keep the high chair until he was about 3. He still acts up occasionally in places like McDonalds and at 4 3/4 he can rest assured he WILL go in the high chair if he forgets pockets on the seat. I have had to turn him upside down and bang on his back too many times from him getting over excited and choking. I do not allow being up and/or running around at all.

try...you are showing me that you are done eating. and take the food away. she won't starve before the next meal...most toddlers are eating every 2 hours or so.

Most times my 22 month old sits in her booster seat
but if she chooses to sit on a big kid chair I warn her twice if she stands up/gets down. After that she's buckled into the booster. You can also try removing her from the table for a minute or two. If I do that usually I just sit her down and pull the chair back from the table a few feet and tell her no. no stand etc.
Oh, and we still repeat the same situation almost every night however she has an older sibling to egg her on so it's even more fun!