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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU...grapes...

203 replies

LokiBear · 04/02/2018 20:26

Dd1 is 6.5. I still cut her grapes in half. She wants me to stop. She helped me make her lunch for tomorrow earlier and asked me to leave them whole. I said that she must make sure she eats them properly. I'm not sat here debating cutting them up. Wwyd?

OP posts:
Original poster
LokiBear · 04/02/2018 21:37

I'm not sure if she's been teased or if she's just trying to be grown up. She's my baby, though. I'm going to indulge my over protective mum instinct on this one I think.

OP posts:
DankAShan · 04/02/2018 21:41

I would cut them up. But I'm a worrier! We went to a party last weekend and there was whole grapes on the table - I was on edge all party in case a 4 year old choked!

Andcake · 04/02/2018 21:42

Cut them up. I get so angry with parents who serve whole grapes at young kids party's stresses me out. It seems like a widely know risk but some people just don't seem to care or oblivious that bad things can happen to everyone.

TheUncommonReader · 04/02/2018 21:44

I’m paranoid about grapes too. Mine are 9 and almost 7. I give them whole grapes now but I’ve taught them to always bite them in half.

StealthPolarBear · 05/02/2018 06:01

But.. Adults?!

CheapSausagesAndSpam · 05/02/2018 06:08

I read somewhere that more choking happens after the age of 3 or 4 as parents relax more. Cut them up!

RedHelenB · 05/02/2018 06:20

Never cut them up BUT all my kids bit first not swallowed. I think she should be ok but I would watch how she eats a whole one at home first.

NotBadConsidering · 05/02/2018 07:11

There's disproportionate worry about grapes on MN. The commonest foods causing fatal choking are hotdogs/sausages and sweets. You never see a thread about how to cut them up. Grapes are 3rd. And it's still incredibly rare, with most cases in under 5s. Most children bite them as soon as they're in their mouths.

6.5 is too old IMO.

Pleasedontdrawonyoursister · 05/02/2018 09:44

I would cut them, but then I know a little boy who choked on one and died so to me it’s just not worth the risk. I also know children like to throw them in the air and catch them in their mouths when showing off with friends.

blackberryfairy · 05/02/2018 18:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fekko · 05/02/2018 18:08

Really - I snorted when earing grapes recently and one shot down my throat and got lodged. It was very unpleasant and I was barking and whooping to dislodge it and I couldn’t take a breath. Never happened before!

My dear family were not much help. Must get them on a first aid course.

IHaveBrilloHair · 05/02/2018 18:10

I didn't know you were supposed to cut them, so never did, but I think at her age she's old enough to bite them.

blackberryfairy · 05/02/2018 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwantt · 05/02/2018 18:19

I still cut my nearly 10 year olds grapes, still cut mine Grin

Borridge · 05/02/2018 19:15

does she have teeth?

DrRanjsRightEyebrow · 05/02/2018 19:20

I'll be cutting DS's grapes in half until he leaves home Grin At his 4th birthday party, which was catered, the staff bought up paper plates loaded with food, including whole grapes. I shot to the kitchen and demanded a sharp knife, shot back again and went round cutting up everyone's grapes. Some people clearly thought I was a lunatic, but I'd never have forgiven myself if something happened on my watch! I can live with people thinking I'm crazy. It's my one 'trigger' and was the only thing I asked his keyworker about on starting nursery ("you don't ever serve whole grapes do you?") Blush

strawberrypenguin · 05/02/2018 19:22

She’s 6! She does not need her grapes cut up. She has teeth and can bite them

IHaveBrilloHair · 05/02/2018 19:24

Cutting a ten yr old's grapes?
Really?
That's madness, and why would you cut your own, can you not biteConfused

RowenasDiadem · 05/02/2018 19:30

I made a packed lunch for my three children this morning. They're 5, 8 and 11.

I sliced the grapes lengthwise. I'd rather be overcautious than a cautionary tale.

DrRanjsRightEyebrow · 05/02/2018 19:30

The thing with grapes over other foods is the skin. If one does get lodged it's extremely difficult to get it unstuck. Like the boy in pizza express (?) Attended immediately by a first aider, paramedics within 3 minutes... none of them could dislodge it until post mortem. No hotdogs here but I'd likely cut them lengthways too! It takes all of 2 seconds to cut them and eliminates any risk. If something did happen that could be do easily avoided... it doesn't limit their freedoms etc etc, why not?

Galax · 05/02/2018 19:30

We cut up grapes for everyone in our house-i think they taste nicer cut-its not just children who choke on grapes, it happens to adults too! (Hotdogs are another thing you should always slide lengthways!)

RowenasDiadem · 05/02/2018 19:35

I've choked on a grape before. I inhaled before I got a chance to bite it. Thought I was going to die. I can't see why people wouldn't cut them up for kids. It's not like it changes the flavour or ruins them!

NurseryFightClub · 05/02/2018 19:38

I don't, but I wantch like a hawk when DD eats them, I figure she has to learn to bite them why not from an age when shes under constant supervision?

user1471443504 · 05/02/2018 19:40

Cut her grapes. My daughter is nearly 7 and I cut them for her and will continue to keep doing so until I decide not to. Explain to your daughter why you are doing it.
And shock horror, as an adult, I sometimes cut mine too as I do with cherry tomatoes. It's just a personal preference for how I like to eat them, it doesn't mean I'm unable to bite and chewWink. It's really no big deal if parents want to do this.

TheEagle · 05/02/2018 19:40

I performed the Heimlich on a 9 year old in my class who was choking on a grape. She was terrified.

I always cut them up for my children.

YANBU to cut them up