My 2 Year Old Daughter Throws Her Food on the Floor!

There is a book that I have read called Love and Logic parenting and it has some really great ideas for children but you have to be very patient. For this particular situation. In the book they say that once your child throws food you tell them no, then when they do it again either remove them from the food or remove the food from your child. They can't throw food that isn't there to throw. When she cries becaue she is not getting her way the best way to deal with this is to not respond to her. Show her that if she doesn't get attention to this negative behavior. HOpe this helps.

With my daughter, who just turned three, this used to be a big issue. She would play with her food and start throwing it on the floor. What worked for us was that as soon as she threw something or began to play I made her leave the table even if she said she wasn't done. I would tell her that we don't play with our food we eat it and clean up her area. She also had to get a rag and help clean her space and the floor. It worked pretty well. Occasionally she will still play but not throw on the floor any more and I try to keep an eye on it and head it off if she is about to start. GL

Erin

My child is doing the same thing. Now I have to tell you, he is messy to begin with. I have found that giving him smaller potions helps and only feeding him when he is hungry not when I want him to eat, you know like at mealtime. (ha)

I would definately make her help you clean it up. You could also look for the plates that have a suction on the bottom that will stick to the table. The nights that she doesn't throw either on the floor I would praise big time. Maybe a sticker? Maybe if she goes a whole week without doing it, ice cream with mommy.

two years old is old enough to not throw food on the floor. What kind of discipline works in other situations? Time outs, taking away toys, whatever works. I'd also let her clean the mess. Yikes. Good luck!

C., you may have to do something that you don't agree with. But if all else has failed you, then it's time to move further. You need to discipline your child. Popping her hand is obviously not enough. I have a 19 month old that I didn't give enough credit to. If he threw food on the floor or did anything that he shouldn't have, I would just take care of it and say no-no. When that didn't work, I started popping his hand. I figured that he just didn't really understand yet. But then I noticed that he did EVERYTHING that his father told him to do and didn't "act out" when he was around (dad works long hours as a chef). Dad also had no problem in spanking him. Now, at this yound age, that just meant tapping the legs, but it was harder than the little hand pops that I was giving. Now, I get just as much respect from my son as his dad does. And I understand that if he's old enough to do something wrong, then he's old enough to be scolded/spanked for it too.

I think i can help you. When my son was 2 its suppose to be terrible 2's right? Nope not for me. I suggest keeping first and steady with punishment. Wether ur for whipping (shes old enough) or taking privliges. It also may discourage her from doing it if u kept her food away from her and u fed it to her for a period of time. Personally if it was my son who had done that at 2 i would have sat there and watched him and pop him each time a peice of food hit the floor. Sometimes children go through this power struggle with you to see how much they can get away with. Maybe popping her on the hands doesnt bother her (it didnt my son) or his butt for that matter but for my son and maybe for ur daughter poping on the legs may help. May sound mean to some but if not now then when? When she says to you" I can have sex with who ever I want!" If children arent scared of what their actions may cause then they stop thinking of what their doing altogether.

LOL!!! I just had this conversation last night with my husband about our 19 mo daughter!! I have been popping her hand, but that doesnt seem to be working. I am glad you asked this question...now I dont have to! LOL Seems they are testing us :)

C., great question because I too have a 20 month old who is doing the same thing. Just recently I started taking away my son's plate as soon as he starts throwing his food even if I know he isn't finished. My husband and I also noticed that he does it mostly when we are carrying on a conversation that doesn't include him. So, now we try to be a little more attentive during meal time with including him in the conversation. Good luck and thank goodness for the Swifer!