How long should I give ds to eat dinner/tea?

[scotchick]

Feel a bit daft that I can't work this out myself but he takes so long to eat it and it's driving me mad. i know I should get a timer and give him a set time then clear away but how long? (he's nearly 8)

[Mum2FunkyDude]

Well, "scientifically" speaking, it takes your brain about 20 minutes to register that you've had enough to eat. If you do not chew well and eat to fast you might over eat.

In my family my dad eats 5 min, my husband 7 mins....the rest of us, takes at least half an hour to an hour to finish eating.

Why does it bother you? Can you maybe set him a place and let him start eating before you?

[scotchick]

I can't help thinking that at his age he should be able to keep up a bit. Don't want him to start before us, want us all to sit down at same time, don't know why.

[moondog]

I givemine as long as it takes,but rule is that once they've left the table,they can't come back.

isit with them,but if they aretaking ages,wouldget up and do other things*still in the kitchen though(