It may not be possible to have a relaxing family dinner with a 2-year-old at the table. Learn what to do about it.

和两岁多的孩子一起享受一顿轻松愉快的家庭聚餐，也许是一件不可能的事。

Dinnertime is a nightmare at our house. How can we have a pleasant family meal?

晚餐时间在我们家简直是一场梦魇，一家人怎样才能一起愉快吃一顿呢？

Answered by Penelope Leach, child psychologist.

本文来自Penelope Leach，一位儿童心理学家

The simple answer is probably, "You can't." Pleasant family meals — especially meals that include adult conversation — and 2-year-olds just don't mix. That's because sitting still is so hard for most young children. They find it difficult to follow grownup conversation that's not aimed at them, and they absolutely detest being ignored. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter makes more mess and noise when the two of you are trying to talk than she does when only one of you is there.

简单点回答上面的答案就是，“你不能。”愉悦的家庭聚餐——特别是成人之间会在吃饭时聊天——两岁多的孩子是接受不了的。那是因为，安静地坐着，对大多数小孩子是非常困难的。他们会觉得注意力放在和他们无关的大人之间的谈话上，是非常困难的，他们是坚决反对自己被忽视的。事实上，如果你的女儿在你们夫妻俩聊天时，制造的噪音和混乱，比你单独带她时闹得更厉害，我一点儿不会对此感到奇怪。

Once in a while, you may luck out. Some 2-year-olds have phases when they're so interested in food and the business of eating it that they're happily absorbed in their meal for at least a few minutes, or half a bowl-full. Others are so entranced by restaurants or visiting diners that they seem to eat without noticing. Usually, though, your best choices are either to feed your child on her own, or to serve everyone together but keep the conversation child-centered until she's finished eating, then let her get down and play while you and your partner eat and chat. A few special after-dinner toys may help you eat in peace.

有时候，你也许运气比较好。两岁多的孩子中，有的孩子在当他们对食物和吃东西特别感兴趣时，会开心地沉浸在吃东西的过程中几分钟，或者吃个半碗；有的孩子会因为陶醉于饭店的陈设所以看起来是在专心地吃而不会注意大人的谈话。然而，通常你的最佳选择要么是先把孩子喂饱，要么就是在餐桌上一边为大家端茶递水服务的同时，一直保持以孩子为中心的谈话，直到孩子吃完，然后让她/他离开餐桌去玩，这样你和你的伴侣才可以继续吃饭和聊天。准备几样特殊的餐后玩具，也许能让你吃完一顿平静祥和的晚餐。

译者：吴和平

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