Like, yeah, okay when does this end? She screams if I put her in her booster seat or her highchair, actually she won't sit in either of them at the moment. She has to have her food separate (i.e. won't eat blueberries, soy yogurt, and raisin brain mixed together but will eat all of them separate), drops food on the floor, plays with food, starts fussing after two bites, runs around the house eating, etc.

I would let her just sit/stand on a regular chair, but she is very sloppy when eating standing up. Right at the moment, she is in her crib as punishment for refusing to sit in her chair and eat nicely.

Any additional suggestions? I practically dread mealtime. I know that it's my fault for being too lax in the past with her eating habits....any way to catch up? After a couple of meals of being sent to her bed, will she get the picture and start shaping up?

Hmmm well let me just say being consistant is key to many toddler behaviors but don't be so hard on yourself Ruth. Your a good mom and many moms here will offer their take on things I'm sure to give you some helpful advice.

After the first child things were so much easier to implement as far as rules and expectations of them. Not that our first was a crazy child just the others fell in suit soooo much easier. We just put a small childs table up next to ours, he sat when we sat. He ate than when we were finished he would go play toys, come back for a bite and that was fine with us. I would warn him before clearing dishes for cleanup that he had to finish his meal. If it was fruit or something that could sit I did let him munch as long as the food was safe for him to eat, or we had to go somewhere.....

Granted I was maybe more laid back than a lot of moms here with all my children, but he was a gentleman when we ate out, sat fine at relatives, just at home I let things more lax and we had no problems, and still to this day have no problems. Getting many compliments on our children when we eat out.

We aren't overly strict overall, my parents were very strict and maybe that is my reasoning somewhat. We pick and chose our battles, and enforce discpline when neccessary and are consistant in doing so.

Your doing great!

I'd say keep doing what you're doing. Lay down the rules "no, you will sit here to eat or you go to bed. You will NOT run around the house eating. You eat here, sitting nicely"
If she's dropping/throwing food, take it away. Period. Done.
Following through each and every time.

It may take a little while if she were allowed to do X before, regularly, then now that's a no. Part of mommy's consequences ;) But it'll be ok, you'll get through it. Stand your ground and be consistent.

I think consistency too, figure out where you want her to eat and then just stick to that! Keep putting her in her high chair ( if that is where you want her to eat) I think if she wants to eat food seperately that is ok, I know I personally don't like certain foods touching either, so if she eats them allup seperately then that is good!!
I know it is hard when we have some kind of battle that we feel like we are constantly fighting! Hang in there :)

welcome to 2 years old! LOL.

toddlers are notoriously picky eaters. some days Robert eats a piece of bread and a banana. Other days he'll eat a whole chicken breast, rice, and veggies and want more. I like us all to eat dinner together, so they have to sit nicely whether they eat or not. Instead of throwing food, tell her if she doesn't want it just slide it forward a little bit and say no thank you. (you may want to implement the 2 or 3 bite rule here).

For breakfast and lunches I am a lot more casual like Renee.

Hang in there, and I vote for consistency as well.

yeah..uh..been there, done that...blushed as people at restaurants gave me that "what in the world are you doing to that child" look while you attempted to simply SIT THEM IN A HIGHCHAIR!! Back arching, kicking, shrieking, crying fits....
We just MADE them sit and eat...sometimes forcibly...or if they wouldn't sit nicely and eat...they didn't eat. No snacking from the table or later that evening, etc...you have to be strong, but heavens it is HARD because it's so obnoxious!
Hang tough sweetie!

Thanks for the understanding ladies! Today was much better. At lunchtime, I decided she was going to get strapped in her booster seat and if she screamed, she screamed. She started fussing as I strapped her in, but then she spotted some food she wanted on the table, lol. So she started eating instead of fussing, woohoo!

One day at a time...

I think just keeping it simple, not overly harsh but just to teach that food and mealtimes are pleasant times and to be enjoyed in a way that is proper and safe. I have taught my kids that throwing food, getting up from the table etc. says "I'm done" I check to see if they really are (which usually is not the case) and go back to eating. It is amazing at work that kidsa s little as 12-18 months know that they sit to eat, they get up it means they are done. As they approach the 18 month (moving up to the next class in a few months) we don't buckle them because they learn really quickly that they need to stay seated and eat or they can pack up and head to their cot for naptime. I really believe in keeping food/mealtime very relaxed and natural, simple and to the point as is everything else that just is a part of the every day (getting dressed, clean, teeth, etc).

I haven't gotten to read the PP, but what about doing many things in the booster chair? Like reading or coloring, paint with water, blocks...then "just happen to eat" also? IDK - maybe worth a try?

I have been very blessed in that my daughter goes to a preschool where all of the children eat meals together in a family style setting. It has really helped her at home. I make an effort to sit with her and eat along side of her.

Sara