Toddler Cafe - Jennifer Carden [4]
Say, “Oh, what a mess! Now let’s clean it up.” Let your child know that making a mess is OK but that there are boundaries. Dropping food on the floor to see what happens is not OK, but dripping off the spoon by accident is just natural. You will be surprised—as they get more interested in the food, the mess will lessen. Just figure that the cleanup is part of the meal. When a child is involved in the whole process, including cleanup, it instills ownership and pride. This is an opportunity to give your child a lesson in how to be responsible for themselves.
You have to feed them, so why not have fun doing it? Get kids involved, and don’t be afraid of the mess. As their ship sets sail toward the world of food, they want to be the captain. You will have to choose your battles wisely, and keeping your child spotless is a losing one, so let’s try changing the course.
cleanup tips: make ’em work for you, not against you
Teach your child how to clear their plate from the table at an early age, even if you have to remove some items to make it easier to handle.
Get a handheld vacuum. This will be your most valuable tool. Teach your child to use this when they are ready. It is a tool they will want to use.
Black beans harden up like cement on a toddler’s face, so keep a damp, warm washcloth handy for cleanup after meals like this.
Make for easy cleanup by using a washable and waterproof splat mat under your child’s chair so you can be worry-free.
Eat outside whenever possible.
Use a washable high-chair cover, such as the Messeez brand.
Make a game out of it: Use a paper cup to flick peas into under the table after dinner.
Time to get a dog! There are some things your vacuum can’t pick up that a dog would clean up happily.
After a meal of spaghetti, give your child a cup and ask them to go on a worm hunt to clean up the escaped worms.
Get a mini dustpan and have your child decorate it. Keep it in a special place that they can reach.
Make a deck of oversized flash cards with different cleanup jobs on them. Each night, have your child pick one before the meal.
Teach your child to help with the dishes. Do dishes during the day when you need an activity, and then let them help with the dishes one night a week after dinner.
Throw on a bib.
Use wipes sparingly; they usually have a strong scent that can be unappetizing during a meal. They are also not great for the environment; a washcloth can do the same job.
A bath is always a good idea—go straight from table to tub!
walking the fine line: manners vs. fun
I’m not saying to give your child permission to go crazy at the dinner table; you have to set boundaries and enforce them, but try to let them enjoy meals, too. Be consistent; don’t let them bend the rules one day and not another day. Here are some suggestions that may help you create a calm and enjoyable mealtime.
No toys at the table. Toys can be very distracting, and taking them away can create a power struggle. (Exception to the rule: Inviting stuffed animals to dinner. They get seats away from the child’s reach.)
Basic manners: “Please,” “Thank you,” and “No, thank you” to start. Add more as you feel appropriate.
Making a mess by accident is OK; trying to make a mess is not.
No playing with silverware; forks and spoons are not toys. Respect the tools.
You can gently enforce behavior by saying, for example, “We only use our forks for eating, not for combing the dog,” or “We can brush the dog after dinner. Would you like to do that?” If you escalate your mood and get angry or draw a lot of attention to misbehavior, your child will probably exaggerate the offending action.
home cooking: wow, it smells so good!
What makes a home-cooked meal better than a pre-prepared one? Prepared food certainly can have a place in our busy lives, occasionally. But prepared foods can be full of sodium and fats used to extend shelf life. Avoiding chemical preservatives and unhealthy fats is another great reason to cook at home. Cooking at home is cost-effective,