Mealtimes

[EyeOfAgamotto]

Stupid pointless argument time...

DW has insisted on using clothing protectors (basically little tabards) for our DC since she was old enough to eat solids. That was fine, except that she is now nearly 6 and is still using them. I think this is infantilising, isn't teaching her to eat carefully (cos the tabard catches everything she never has to be careful) and don't agree with it.

I work a flexible pattern so am home two days a week while DW works and simply stopped using the tabards at meal times weeks ago. DW is p'd off and insists i use them, but as far as I'm concerned it's my choice when I'm home with her, so it's up to me. WIBU?

YANBU that's nonsensical for a 6yo! When does your DW anticipate her being old enough to manage without? She has to learn sometime!

YANBU. Surely she doesn't use them when eating school dinners/packed lunch?

Yanbu. I do have a bakers apron that I put on my dd if she's eating lasagne wearing a white top... but that's it.

Yanbu

Most 6 year olds can eat without getting dinner down their front, and the odd baked bean isn't going to harm in the same way upending a whole bowl of spag bol down your front as a baby would! (My DS likes to spill food down his front, but he's 11mo. Anticipating this behaviour stopping befire he's 3, let alone 6!)

What is your DW reason for still using them?

I wonder if she does the washing whether she frets over getting the stains out for example?

(At 6 my DC were not using bibs etc, but I also accept that things can and do get stained, even as adults we can get stuff down us accidentally!)

Can’t she use a napkin now she’s older? My kids often use one especially if it’s spag Bol or they’ve just got changed into clean clothes.

I wonder if she does the washing whether she frets over getting the stains out for example?

I do most of the clothes washing. If we're eating something that's obviously going to be messy i put an old tea towel around her, but she's usually pretty good at getting most things in her mouth and not down her front!

YANBU. She simp,ly can’t use them at school, friend’s houses or if you dine out. Your DW needs to realise DD is growing up and learning how to eat in social settings is part of this.

My DS has a friend who makes her DC strip to underwear every time they have spag bol. Some people are just weird.

My two year old has refused a bib for a very long time. I can’t remember when she last wore one. I would like to say she is not a messy eater but that would be a lie.

It is very odd to make a six year old essential wear a bib.

I don't make my 3 year old do that! But I do strip him if there's incredibly messy stuff- I fully intend to stop that as well when he's a bit older and a couple of inches taller so he can reach the table a bit better.

I make my 6 yo wear a bib! He does have a few mild coordination problems and the last thing I want is him going to school with weetabix down his jumper. He doesn't complain about it.
I never make him wear them when out or in front of friends.

YANBU that's ridiculous

My 1yr old doesn't wear a bin. Sometimes he doesn't spill much. My 3yr old would pitch a fit if I tried to put him in a bib

YADNBU. That is insane for a 6 year old. Surely if she does drop the odd bit of food on herself it'll come out in the wash. She must eat without it when at school/out with friends anyway.