This is more a vent than anything but I am being driven nuts by DCG that eats all of 4 foods at home and eats when every she wants and isn't expected to STAY at the table for a meal.

I don't expect any changes at home as they'd have to be firm and the child would cry and well, that doesn't happen at home.

But here...I make her stay at the table for the meal. She starts the "All done" about 15seconds into a meal and repeats it endlessly. During this process she gets bored and ends up eating the food in front of her but she continues the "All done"

My 25month old has always been expected to stay at the table while we eat but eventually joins in the "all done" even though she is still eating.

I have typically ignored DCG, I first say you are done but the meal isn't over so you will sit until I come wash you up at the end of the meal" then I ignore. But it drives me BONKERS hearing her say it over and over. She's almost 2.5yrs old. I know it is hard on her because my expectations are different than at home...but come on!

Thoughts on how to end this behavior? I can't really think up a consequence. I am starting to give firm lectures. But pretty sure they are just going over her head.

Am I wrong to expect a child to sit at the table for the full duration of a meal? I'm not talking an hour here. Snack lasts maybe 15minutes...that's a good 14minutes of "all done".