Spoon feeding a nearly 3 year old?

[lovely36]

Why do parents still feed their 1+ child? I've seen this a lot and it makes me wonder why a fully capable child who's got arms and can feed himself is still being fed by mom. Is it to reduce mess? I've been out and see 2,3,4,5 year olds being fed like babies. It always makes me wonder the reasoning behind this?! I genuinely don't understand.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

A DCousin used to spoon feed her 7 year old! When I gently asked why she was doing that, she said he wouldn't eat otherwise. I pointed out that nobody fed him at school or if she wasn't there and he still ate.

[rosydreams]

some people it seems just accept the way things are and just dont think hold on a sec.

Some people just kind of forgot that they have a choice when their child chooses not to do something you can choose not to let them.

Its tricky as for some there are underlying problems that cannot be visually seen.Some children are special needs and a parent has to do a lot more for them.But there are the few that just forgot to parent or choose not to.

But each to their own

i have learnt in life you cannot shove someone through a door you can show them it but thats about it.If a parent is doing something i deem wrong i will only intervene if i personally believe the child's life is in danger.Some have to learn for them selves unfortunately but if they ask for help i would be happy to welcome them with open arms

It really is hard to stand and watch though if they are doing something very stupid but we cant parent other parents its just the way things are

[JayDot500]

I still spoon feed my near 3 year old weetabix every morning without fail. After an awfully long bout of constipation, plus the fact he's incredibly fussy and won't feed himself wet foods, I can sleep at night knowing he's at at least one good meal that day.

He eats 'properly' the rest of the day, but barely eats anything (consistently) that is not fruit or noodles. I could cry when I see babies younger than him eating actual text book meals, especially those that include veg. He's his dad's child, very fussy/picky.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Jay have you ever read My Child Won't Eat by Carlos Gonzalez?

Our DD was incredibly fussy and it turned out to be sensory issues so it might be worth reading up on that too

[Bubbinsmakesthree]

I still frequently spoon feed my 4.5 year old. He’s not very interested in food and without encouragement would eat very little from a limited range (and take hours about it). If I offer to feed him he’ll eat more and try a wider range. It’s also about getting mealtimes over in a reasonable length of time, not sitting there for hours!

[JayDot500]

I think it's sensory too. Thank you @jilted! I've flicked through a few in the bookshops but I think this would be great to try!

[lovely36]

Interesting. I always thought it was also a cultural thing. I'm Mexican and in Mexico children do things very young. Cooking on their own by 10 for example. Even younger sometimes. In Japan it's the same, as my father is part Japanese. I noticed this is more common in America and England. I've lived in both countries and it's where seen it more.

[MumUnderTheMoon]

Depends on the child I agree that they should feed themselves if they can but developmental issues can make feeding yourself difficult eg my dd has dyspraxia so she finds using a knife and fork difficult even though she is 11 and sometimes she still needs help.