Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a 5 year old should be able to eat with their mouth closed?

70 replies

Bathinginthedark · 08/08/2017 23:00

Just that really. It's basic manners to eat with your mouth closed, at the age of 5 they shouldn't be gum smacking, slurping and showing the world the contents of their mouth whilst they eat

OP posts:
whateveryousay · 08/08/2017 23:04

Is their nose blocked? I once got very upset when an older relative complained about DS's 'bad manners'. But the poor kid had terrible hayfever, and could only breathe while eating by eating with his mouth open.

Syc4moreTrees · 08/08/2017 23:05

Hate mouth smackers, but it's not just kids 🤦🏻‍♀️

Peppapogstillonaloop · 08/08/2017 23:05

I have no idea but feel free to come To my House at mealtimes and constantly remind my 5&7 year olds as they are apparently completely incapable of it!

OuchLegoHurts · 08/08/2017 23:07

Oh I think 5 is much too young to be able to eat with mouth closed! 5! They're only babies...

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 08/08/2017 23:08

If you could remind my autistic, dyspraxic teenager of that, you'd be very welcome. No diagnosis at five but plenty of comments.

coldflange · 08/08/2017 23:09

Never too young to learn hoof table manners.

IHeartKingThistle · 08/08/2017 23:11

We've been having this battle with DS for years. He's nearly 8 Blush

We've now got to the point where he's mostly OK at the table eating. But if he's watching TV with lunch or gets distracted, it all goes out the window. He just doesn't realise. I've taken his food off him, sent him to eat on his own, he just forgets. Mild success with praising whenever I can't see his food in his mouth. I have a modicum of hope.

I swear the boy must think his name is MOUTH!!!

SuburbanRhonda · 08/08/2017 23:14

DS had terrible respiratory problems as a toddler / baby and my dad always used to tell him off for eating with his mouth open. He couldn't help it.

What I hate much more is adults talking with their mouths full. I even know someone who puts food into her mouth and then starts talking. Give me a five-year-old with poor table manners any day of the week.

moutonfou · 08/08/2017 23:18

I can't always eat with my mouth closed and I'm an adult. I have very narrow nostrils and sometimes breathing problems. Would have been even worse as a child when I had giant tonsils.

DrMadelineMaxwell · 08/08/2017 23:19

Please check that they can breathe comfortably through their nose as they chew before demanding that they keep their mouth firmly closed.

It could just be bad manners, of course, and need plenty of reminders. DD can chew with her mouth closed but still needs a reminder. The table manners of children in my school in the hall at lunchtime is just awful to see sometimes!

I have many memories as a child of feeling like I was suffocating when eating as I wasn't allowed to open my mouth when chewing. But because I have (and still have) perrenial allergic rhinitis, I really struggled to breathe through my nose at all on any given day.

I've learnt to chew quickly and to take small bites to compensate, and take medication to suppress the allergy.

Original poster
Bathinginthedark · 08/08/2017 23:20

Just to clarify this was a child with no illness/blocked nose/stuffiness or additional needs. Not my child. My child eats with their mouth closed.

OP posts:
EveningShadows · 08/08/2017 23:23

My 9 year old does this Sad. I can't bear it and constantly remind him - he gets really upset Confused.

I don't know how to stop him!

mawbroon · 08/08/2017 23:27

A high palate can restrict the nostrils making eating with the mouth closed difficult.

It would not be obvious.

caringdenise009 · 08/08/2017 23:27

An issue I've had with my son since he was 5, now 20. He does it everywhere else but I'm front of me. I feared for his future,that he would be mocked and ostracized.....he's now half way through his degree,about to go overseas for a years studying with lots of social life and no comments on his eating habits.

Still chews with his mouth open at home. No problem,let it go.

EveningShadows · 08/08/2017 23:28

Is there anything that can be done about that?

gingergenius · 08/08/2017 23:28

Rome wasn't built in a day. Adenoids can be an issue. Kind reminders. X

caringdenise009 · 08/08/2017 23:28

Doesn't do it anywhere else...

StiginaGrump · 08/08/2017 23:30

Not if you are a chinless wonder waiting for your jaw breaking surgery...

Toysaurus · 08/08/2017 23:30

Big round of applause for your child then. not every child is the same.

supermoon100 · 08/08/2017 23:32

Bathing, so a smug, I'm a great parent post

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 08/08/2017 23:38

No not all 5 year olds eat with their mouths closed. It's nothing to do with parenting either so forget your smugness

Unacceptable · 08/08/2017 23:44

I don't know but my 40 year old bloody DH should.
Often wonder if it's actually grounds for divorce.
Masticates like a damn farm animal.
Makes me feel sick Envy

PollyFlint · 08/08/2017 23:44

I'm the first to admit that I find it absolutely gross when kids eat like this, but it's not unusual at all for a kid to be eating like this at 5, even when they're constantly reminded not to, and I don't think it's usually a deliberate thing. I did know of one kid (a relative of mine) who used deliberately revolting table manners as a means of getting attention, but I don't think that's the norm. Plenty of five-year-olds just haven't got the hang of it yet.

Original poster
Bathinginthedark · 08/08/2017 23:48

Not smug at all. I hate people eating with their mouths open. My child does plenty of other gross things, eating with his mouth open just isn't one of them.

OP posts:
supermoon100 · 08/08/2017 23:49

Good for you