Mealtime = Chatty Hour
February 25, 2010 by Shannon
The one downside of having a talkative child is that nearly every meal becomes Chatty Hour. And I kid you not — an hour at the table is not unusual for him. So you see why my blood pressure rises when I only have 30 minutes to get breakfast in him before preschool. Only 30 minutes. I’m sweating just thinking about it.
Example. This is how Tuesday morning (a.k.a. Swim Day! so you’d think he’d be clamoring to get out the door) went at our house.
Kellan: What are we having?
Me: Pumpkin pancakes with peanut butter dip. Here, eat this banana while I get your dip ready.
Kellan: Mmmm! Yum! Pancakes! Wook! (Which, of course, means “look.”) I bit my banana and it looks like a face! Wook, Mommy! Wook!
Me: Uh huh. Keep eating.
Kellan: Mmm. Pancakes. I like pancakes. I like dip. (singing) La, la, la, la, la…
Me: Kellan. A little less singing, a little more chewing, please.
Kellan: Why are you having cereal?
Me: I don’t know. It just sounded good.
Kellan: Why aren’t you having a banana?
Me: I might. I have to see how hungry I am after this cereal.
Kellan: Do you like bananas?
Me: Yes. Yes, I do. Please don’t wave that pancake around. Take another bite.
Kellan: Okay. (chewing) Where’s Daddy?
Me: He’s getting ready for work.
Kellan: Oh. Um, so…so…so….
Me: Kellan, chew. Please.
(At this point, I have finished my breakfast and Kellan is still about halfway through his breakfast, with 10 minutes until preschool departure time.)
Kellan: Are you going to eat a banana?
Me: No. I think I’m full.
Kellan: Oh. Maybe you can eat it later.
Me: Yeah, I can do that. Okay, Kellan. You have about 10 minutes before you have to go. Start taking some bites. (I turn to check my email, hoping that my lack of attention will force him to start consuming the food in front of him.)
Kellan: (whispering) Mommy. I have a secret to tell you.
Me: Kellan, EAT. (I keep my back turned to him for a few more moments, which is always risky at mealtime, then decide to clear my own dishes from the table. Kellan stays relatively silent, until I return to the table to check his progress.)
Kellan: (whispering) Mommy. I have a secret for you.
Me: Good. I have secret for you. (whispering) You have about three more minutes before you have to put on your coat. Keep chewing!
So. The result of all this mealtime chattiness? I suddenly find myself holding a one-way ticket to Nagville. Eat this! Chew that! Stop talking! Eat, eat, eat! Nag, nag, nag.
Comments (6)
Well he is the son of an anchor so you would think that it would be natural for him to like to talk. He just tends to pick the wrong time to do it.
From my house to yours…here’s to chatty, slow eating hour. It seems this is a universal plague. Or at least one the two of us share.
Last night this happened when we were trying to get out the door to Hadley’s school event. Eat, Amelia. Take bites. Eat quickly. We have to leave. Now.
Once again…I share your pain!
It sounds cute, but I can see your pain! Hope to see you both this weekend!
I just saw your video - loved it. You’re awesome! And your little boy - so cute!!!!
I feel your pain, meals at our house are full of nagging too. I spend meal time trying to get Pele to eat and Victor to not eat so fast that the food begins to fling from his fork onto the floor.
I just came across your blog and I’m seriously cracking up. I think we have the same life…..well, not exactly the same….but pretty darn close. I stopped practicing law when my now 1 1/2 year old son was born. It’s been quite a journey, to say the least….
The meal conversation is dreadfully similar with my 4 year old. I never knew getting him to eat could instantly raise my blood pressure.
Good to see you!