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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

This isn't normal behaviour for a 6yr old is it ??

21 replies

NutcrackingXmas · 22/12/2005 20:37

Dd2 (6), has for the god knows how long now, insisted on using a particular fork with her dinner.

It's nothing special, just one we had left from a set we used to have. Has a plastic yellow handle.

If ever I have given her another fork, she will complain and either get up and get the yellow one or moan until i get it.

Anyway, today I dropped the fork down the back of the cooker and I couldn't get it out.

Dd was hysterical, screaming and shouting so much she was nearly sick and refusing to eat her dinner.

She ate a bit in the end but with her fingers.

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hercules · 22/12/2005 20:39

My ds used to want things in particular ways eg the different foods mustnt touch each other etc but he grew out of it.

Dd (2) insists on a yellow spoon only to eat but I know she is young still.

I cant eat food with a thick handle on my knife or fork.

hercules · 22/12/2005 20:40

In other words, pretty normal.

bsg · 22/12/2005 20:40

I don't have a 6 year old only a 3 and 4 year old and this is the kind of behaviour I get from them. I wouldn't worry maybe she just likes that particular fork. My two never use the cutlery I put out for them, they always change it.

Original poster

NutcrackingXmas · 22/12/2005 20:41

At what age did your Ds grow out of it Hercules ??

OP posts:

Anoah · 22/12/2005 20:42

Both my children insist on using certain plates, cups and forks. My dd3 got a pink plate as a gift and god forbid I put her dinner on any other plate!

Original poster

NutcrackingXmas · 22/12/2005 20:42

Was worried because Dd already has slight OCD about handwashing and was worried it is another obsession.

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tamba · 22/12/2005 20:43

There are certian forks and spoons in my kitchen i wont use.. they just dont feel right in my mouth

hercules · 22/12/2005 20:44

He's nearly 10 and still cant have ketchup touching anything. Plus he has to have his duvet on his bed in a certain way and all the lights off outside his room and he double checks to make sure the door is shut properly.

HE gets upset if there are going to be major changes in his life and even was crying last year as he realised that when we eventually move house the stickers he has on his wardrobe door will need to be removed.

I take it all as "normal" with slightly odd tendencies.

WickedWinterWitch · 22/12/2005 20:45

It's a bit obsessive but I guess it's important to her. Very early on we went to a playgroup with a policy of 'you get what you're given' vis a vis plastic water cups and that phrase was v handy for me to follow through on all that stuff at home. So not totally normal ime but not terribly worrying I'd say - it's been her routine for ages and she wanted that fork - I'm sure there are things my ds wouldn't like changed just because it's always been that way.

Original poster

NutcrackingXmas · 22/12/2005 20:46

That is a great description of my dd hercules 'normal' with slightly odd tendancies

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Original poster

NutcrackingXmas · 22/12/2005 20:47

I think I was just shocked with how mad she reacted when she couldn't have it.

OP posts:

Original poster

NutcrackingXmas · 22/12/2005 20:47

bad not mad

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hercules · 22/12/2005 20:48

Tbh I think that there are very few people in this world who are "normal" which is partly why I dislike this word. If you examined everybody you'd be bound to find something "odd" about them.

Original poster

NutcrackingXmas · 22/12/2005 20:48

Very true.

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NannyL · 22/12/2005 20:49

my 5 and a half year old ex charge will still ONLY drink from 1 cup!

(if he was my child when he was younger he would have not ONLY been given "that" cup so bee forced to drink out of other cups (he wasnt gonna go thirsty for that long) but mummy didnt mind and at the end of the day it doesnt really matter!)

AveyourselfamerryLITTLEFISHmas · 22/12/2005 21:36

Snap Tamba! I have a real thing about the way the certain forks feel in my mouth - ditto glasses and mugs.

singersgirl · 22/12/2005 21:51

I'm exactly the same about forks, Tamba! DH can never get it right....

ISawFrannyandZooeyKissingSanta · 22/12/2005 22:06

Ooh blimey, I am funny about forks too! It is one of dp's favourite things to tease me about, wait till he hears there are now A GANG of us - hah!

tortoiseshell · 22/12/2005 22:09

Both my 2 (4 and 2) are funny about cutlery - dd HAS to have the orange spoon, or she won't eat her breakfast. Ds is more moderate, but has a huge preference for the green one.

I think it does sound a bit OTT, but if she always has that spoon I guess it is a comfort thing?

singersgirl · 22/12/2005 22:10

And my mum is the same, so it's clearly genetic!

MNHQ

AbbyMumsnet · 26/01/2007 12:26

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but I'm doing a piece on OCD v OCD-type behaviour in kids and it would be good to speak to some of you about these little "rituals". I want to make the point that rituals can be very much part and parcel of childhood and are not necessarily indicators of a bigger problem. Anyhow, here's my official thread. Would be good to hear from a few of you. Thanks! Abby

PS: you don't have to be named in the actual piece.

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