HELP - anyone else dealing w/ dinner time nightmare?

Question

I am dying!! My kid (21 mo) is so sweet and overall a very good kid but omg when it comes to dinner time he’s just so difficult. He screams, cries and throws all his food at dinner no matter what i feed him unless it’s something he loves like nuggets or Mac & cheese. I can’t get him to try anything new and he always throws his food. I could handle the throwing but it’s the screaming and full blown tantrum that I can’t seem to figure out. 
I have tried EVERYTHING. Ive tried ignoring the behavior, fun utensils, small portions, no snacks before dinner and I’ve even stopped the bedtime snack to try and teach him dinner is the time to eat but nothing is working. I literally dread dinner time. I also follow all the IG accounts like feeding littles, kids eat in color, etc. I don’t have this issue except for at dinner. 
Idk if he’s just tired from the day so dinner he’s just cranky or what is going on. There’s been plenty of days where he skips dinner because he refuses it and then I try feeding him it again before bed and still nothing then he sleeps all night. 
Please tell me I’m not the only one dealing with this?? what helped you and how long did it take?

Answer

Dinner time is melt down time for a lot of kids. Offer food, but if he’s just throwing a fit, he can leave the table and you can eat without him. At 21 months, he will be okay if he chooses not to eat. Maybe set aside his plate and offer it again closer to bedtime if he seems hungry later. Getting into a power struggle at mealtimes will make it worse.

Answer

Is he still in a high chair? If so, move to a booster seat at the table!
Check out solid starts! She has the best info!

Answer

Look up solid starts - they have guides and tips for picky eaters. One tip is to try a picnic style so there’s less pressure about eating at the table.

Answer

Is he still in a high chair? By that age both my kids were out of the high chair and no straps on their boosters. If they want down from the table I let them down, no fighting. I keep their food out and available until bedtime. I’m personally more concerned about what they’re eating than when they’re eating. My first stopped wandering away from the table around 4 years old, now she stays in her chair and eats her meal with my husband and I 99% of the time. My 2 year old runs around most nights still, sometimes he’s trying to wait us out to get nuggets and sometimes he just doesn’t seem hungry yet. But he usually eats by bedtime.

Answer

My little can be a big challenge at dinner too and my stress about it was terrible which made it worse.
I finally landed on giving her two choices: sit at the table politely ( does not need to eat) or go to her room ie a timeout. Very clear choices, no other options.
She almost always chooses dinner although she doesn't eat about half the time but the drama with her is way, way less.

Answer

Have you tried time out? That’s what we use with my 20 mo old for the last month or so. We put him on the step for two mins. I give him one warning if he continues he goes on time out I sit him down let him know why he’s there then set the timer for two mins. After that I reexplain why he got put on time out then he apologizes and we hug. And move on.

HELP - anyone else dealing w/ dinner time nightmare?

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