When Technology Has Its Own Seat At The Table
Perhaps you are reading this after dinner (which you had to make 3 different versions of just so everyone would eat), looking back and thinking that your child looked at their iPad more than they looked at you, other family members, or their food. You might have tried lots of things to take the iPad/tech away, but this resulted in a meltdown or a fight that you eventually lost. Sound familiar?
So how did it come to this in the first place?
Well, you were likely stressed that your kid wasn’t eating. Maybe they were having meltdowns every time they sat in their highchair or at the table. Maybe they couldn’t stand the sight of other foods at the table. Maybe they kept running away from the table, distracted by other things in the house. Your child wasn’t sitting still or eating for you, but for the iPad? They could sit there for ages. SUCCESS! Until it’s years later and you just can’t get the iPad away.
Is having tech at the table even an issue?
This is a bit of a nuanced answer. It all depends on how much of a priority it is for you, your family, and your child’s needs and goals. Maybe it is worth focusing more on getting calories in if your child isn’t growing well. Maybe your child needs the extra sensory input to manage new foods at the table so they can expand their diet. Maybe your child is exhausted after learning how to toilet train. Or maybe reducing tech at the table is their next challenge.
Yes! How do I get there though???
This is no easy feat and will take time. Think about how long your child has been using their tech at the table – it won’t be fixed in 1 week. But how you can start is by delaying the introduction of their technology to the table at mealtimes. Instead of the tech being there at the start, when your child requests their technology, say ‘in a minute’. You may need to set a visual timer for some kids. 1 minute may be too long for some kids, so perhaps start at 30 seconds. And stick to it! Your child needs to trust that they will get it after the allocated time (which probably feels like forever for them). Do that for a week and then increase the time a little bit, eg 1.5 minutes. Depending on your child you might need to go up in smaller increments, or do the same time for a little longer. Eventually your child will be able to wait the whole mealtime!
If you give this a go, I’m curious to hear how it goes! But remember to give it time before feeling like it isn’t working.
I hope this was helpful for you and has given you some things to try at your next mealtime. You may have tried some of these already, or are consistently doing these things and seeing no progress. Feel like this blog wasn’t as helpful as you were hoping for? Maybe you need more support. Book in an initial consult or feeding assessment by emailing orangefeedingclinic@gmail.com or calling 6362 9806 for more information.
Much love,
Nadia Fathinia (Accredited Practicing Dietitian)
