My kids eat like dump trucks! Help

I would get them navy dresses or something dark, maybe have some test runs at dinner but as you know children are messy and accidents can’t always be avoided.

View Quoted Comment Blue is our color so dark dresses we’re definitely going to be used. Accidents happen a good amount of time so that I know can happen but like the simple things like sitting right and little things is what I want to work with them on.

How old are your girls?

View Quoted Comment 2 8 yr olds (not twins were blended) a 9 and a 10 year old. I get kids are messy especially with 4 of them but I just get so frustrated when it’s a constant like food on the table or floor and they graze over it or like shove their fingers pushing food in their mouths and being chipmunks.

Lol this is such a cute post! And you seem very blessed♥️. Maybe you could buy a really fancy Tea set and on Saturday or Sunday afternoons you can have a “teatime”. Dress up in fancy dresses, and teach them etiquette that way.

View Quoted Comment Yeah, at that age they should start understanding those kinds of rules. Maybe just trying to practice better eating habits on a regular basis? Eating that fast isn't healthy anyway, as it creates a greater tendency to over eat, so your brain can't figure out when you're full until you've already over-eaten. Maybe you can start by initially serving them smaller portions of things and telling them to chew their food for like 15-20 seconds each bite or whatever that number is? Starting with something small and working your way up is usually a good strategy when teaching kids.

View Quoted Comment Ooo that sounds like a good idea they love to play like princesses.

My parents ran an extremely tight ettiquete ship. We could only eat so fast because we had to cut our meals using the correct fork and knife handa (American style so you switch hands when you eat), put our fork down between bites, get our elbows off the table, chew with our mouths completely closed. If we didn't follow these rules, our mom would just constantly bring it up and nag us. If we refused, we would be punished with the same punishments for other bad behavior. Because make no mistake, eating rudely is bad behavior.


Maybe giving your kids smaller portions at a time until they learn would help. If they follow the rules, give them bigger portions at a time to reward them for eating maturely.
Also make sure you're modeling good ettiquete. Im sure you are, but FH had bad table ettiquete when we first met and it's clear he picked it up from his parents.

View Quoted Comment They always want more! But they do mostly just chow it down like they are in a rush. We have them sit for a few minutes after they’ve eaten so the food can settle and they just chill. I will definitely try the smaller portions too.

View Quoted Comment Don’t get me wrong they have picked up habits from their dad because for the longest it was just him and then so like eating in undies after school was the norm and being rowdy is the norm. Not down talking their habits it’s just tough to break them and we’re continuing to model. Family dinners are praying eating some chit chat and then we’re done. I feel like if I was stricter with them on table habits he would tell me my military style is popping in and it can sometimes haha

Ehhh this seems like something that should have been taught a while ago... but yeah at this point maybe online etiquette class if you aren’t able to teach them.

View Quoted Comment Yeah maybe it would be good to talk to your SO and get on the same page about table manners. Kids thrive with rules and structure. Also rude eating habits dont change without work, which means that if you don't act, your kids could still be eating like this as adults. I've seen adults hurt their careers with bad table manners because it just reflects so poorly on them in company meals and at events. It could also definitely hurt them in dating. Take this opportunity to give them better manners!

View Quoted Comment I think I’m going to use that as reinforcement as n top of modeling and all that

View Quoted Comment That’s how I see it like ya it’s table manners but he always wants me to show them how to be proper since their mom never has. Just a little tiring but I keep at it

View Quoted Comment Is he helping you do that? That's really a both-parent job

View Quoted Comment They can always ask for seconds! You start with a little, and then get more after you finish. Maybe explain to them that the food isn't going away? Just curious, have they ever been in a situation where food was not always plentifully available? Food insecurity can make children eat that way as well, so maybe explaining that there is plenty to eat in the house, and they will not go hungry (if that's relevant to your situation)? Elizabeth made some great suggestions as well! Good luck!

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Yes, its just tough because he is here for one meal and im here for all so I dont mind being the model as much as I can be it just gets a bit tiring.

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No, we've always had enough food. They are pretty good off compared to the childhood that me and fiance had like tablets, games, more than enough toys. They rush so they can get back to all those things which is fine I would too if I had had all those things. Now is every meal a hot a tasty one, hell no. pardon my language. I let them know y'all don't need to worry about your food walking away it will be there no matter what. Enjoy it and take your time. Ive done smaller portions before and they down it even quicker. I guess I'm just trying to find the right balance.

View Quoted Comment I think you just hit the nail on the issue. Don’t allow them to return to those things- games, tablets, TV- until they sit and eat properly.

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I have no issue with doing that, only there is one downside. With one of the girls like 9 out of 10 times she leaves a mess behind, she is also the 1 kid who cannnot entertain herself without a screen and gets upset with her sisters if they would rather be on their things than play with her because that is one of the only times she will want them. Which is its own separate issue but that leads to her misbehaving and then her dad stepping in and then the same behavior still happens. I guess I'm just trying to navigate the best way to nip the issues in the butt.