Son Wants Out of High Chair

Both my kids, HATED high-chairs.
So when they were babies, we used the kind of 'high chair' that you strap onto a regular chair. Thereby, the child can sit 'at' the table.

Then, once they hit about 1 years old, they just used a regular chair. On a booster seat.
If you do a search on Amazon, using the words "booster seat for dining table", many will come up.

Kids do not have to be, in high-chairs. There is no point in battling about that.
OR.... have a child sized table, and he can eat on that.
Getting child sized tables are real handy, for anything. And with a child sized chair.

all the best,
Susan

Option 1 is what I'd do. Use the high chair as a booster seat (or buy a booster seat) and let him sit with you.
A booster seat, you strap to the chair - not sure about your high chair.

maybe he just wants to sit right next to you? put his high chair next to the area he seems to like if possible. We used a booster chair that had the tray and didn't have a high chair. We used the tray during meals that wasn't the family meal and took the tray off and moved his chair to the table for family meals. There are straps to tie it to the seat so it doesn't fall off. Not sure why he doesn't like his high chair since he is at the table with the family anyway. Just try moving it somewhere else at the table and see if that helps. Maybe he doesn't like where he is sitting.

For my beautiful baby shower I was given an oak, carved, breathtakingly beautiful high chair. I'll bet you my son's butt sat in that chair about a total of O. hour! He hated being in a high chair with or without the tray.
He always did better at a small table/chair/bench. I'd try that.
For a short time he did like the booster chair at the table.
As they say--"whatever works!" Good luck!

We had the Fisher Price I think it's called Grow with Me high chair for my daughter. It is the space saver one that hooks onto a regular chair anyway. We took the tray off when she was about 10 or 11 months and pushed it up to the table to let her eat with us. Until recently this has worked out really well. She gets upset because the "arms" that hold the tray on while in use are still on the sides and it doesn't push all the way up to our table. I've tried moving them all around and I can't get her any closer. She is 21 months and for the past few weeks it has been a constant battle. She will say "all done, down please" and when we finally let her down she just wants up to sit on my lap and finish eating.

Finally this weekend we broke down and bought her a "big girl chair" aka a booster seat. We have made a huge deal and we even sing "big girl in a big girl chair, getting ready for ___ lunch, dinner, snack, playdough, etc." and she does the cutest little dance. She tells me everyday she loves her green big girl chair. So far just getting something new and a little different has worked really well for us. With Baby #2 just about here we were going to need to get her out of the high chair anway so that baby could lay with us while we eat.

We got the Prince Lionheart BoosterPod becuase it has straps that hook to the bottom and back of the chair, and has straps that strap the child into the seat. My little girl is a climber so this was important for us. It was the only one we could find that would strap her in and strap to the chair.

Since my son was about 1, maybe even younger he always insisted on standing in his high chair. So after a few months of battling with him, I just decided to forgo the whole high chair business and he's been sitting (actually standing) on a regular chair since then. He literally won't sit still for a minute and he has to stand. He's now almost 3 and we are slowly but surely instilling the rule "butts on seat while we eat". It works for my girls too since they have a tendency to wander during meals. I'd say just ditch the whole high chair and let him be a big boy. Boys are so different than girls, especially if they are younger brothers. They require independence much earlier it seems! Good luck!

dont' let him sit on your lap, that will create a habit that will get old fast. i would try the "kiddy table" on special nights (1 or 2 nights a week) all the kids can sit at that table and be kids, but those that have been good only are allowed this (make it a privelage) at that age, i had the highchair that hooked onto the table so the kid is not "chin level" but not in a high chair either. a lot of parents i met don't like this because there's nothing supporting the kid from the floor, but i had no problems with it but i checked the fastener's daily before putting my kid in it made sure it could support MOST of my weight before putting my daughter in it

i also had the one that sh mentions...or put phone books on the chair for your child to sit on instead (my daughter still needs that from time to time) what ever you chose to go for, present it to your baby in a special way...make it sound fun and exciting so that'll make him WANT the chair :) i always presented new "growing up" tools like the potty pants or what ever in a "present" fasion, to make it more exciting for them...worked wonder's on my daughter, and i STILL do that, this is how i presented helmet and knee pads for her bike...it was a safety measure to me, but a present and something new and fun for her

Someone else may have already suggested this, but we use a booster seat that straps to one of the regular table chairs and allows our daughter to scoot right up to the table. She's three now and still uses it, but we started when she was a little over a year and begging to get out of the high chair and join us at the table. It's been great.

regardless of what he wants, you are Mom & you are 100% responsible for his safety. Soooo, make your choice & stand firm. He has to learn to be responsive to you & not his wishes/whims/demands. I wish you Peace!

Id say let him be a big boy, but tell him he has to do it like mommy and daddy do (sitting while you eat). I definitely wouldnt just put him back in his high chair w/the tray near the table. that could make him feel left out or pushed out like he's being punished. It sounds like he really enjoys being right there next to you guys, so I'd welcome it. safely, of course :) You'll figure out what works best for you guys.

i would try the portable high chair first - it seems to solve both problems - he is with you so he's happy, but he's secure so you're happy.