I'm finding noisy eating irritating

[Babyblue2]

I really don't like people eating with their mouths open and I really really hate noisy eaters, it all stems back to having family meals where the male species both ate like pigs (god the thought of my father's false teeth moving around his mouth-yuck). My (just turned) 3 yr old daughter is now slopping her food around her mouth making disgusting noises (not on purpose) and its driving me up the wall. I'm trying to encourage her to eat with her mouth closed which just makes it worse cos she can't do it. I'd like to hear from anyone else whose had a similar problem and whether/how they managed to find a solution.

Mine is 3 and eats with her mouth closed although I often have to remind her

I agree it's vile to eat with your mouth open!

I hate to hear adults eating noisily because they know better, (my DH makes a terrible noise when he eats and it drives me up the wall, and sometimes I have been known to give him the evil eye) but I am more tolerant of my DD, even though she does eat with her mouth closed, sometimes she does make a bit of a row. One bit of advice though, try not to make too much of an issue about it, I know from experience what it can do to you. When I was a kid my Mum suffered from bad nerves and whenever anyone in the family ate anything crunchy like crisps or an apple she would give us all funny looks. I think it all stemmed back from when SHE was a kid and my Grandad used to eat like a pig at the table and when anyone tried to broach him about it he would turn nasty. I am now 35 years old and I still suck crisps in my mouth instead of eating them properly and I still bite an apple so as not to make a noise rather than getting stuck in and enjoying it. I drew the line at my Mum's house though when my DD was making a noise eating and my Mum was getting on at her about it and I told her to leave her alone and let her enjoy her food. I think my childhood experience has made me more tolerant of my DD eating noises because I certainly would rather have her enjoy her food rather then worry about annoying me.

Yes, I've been through that one. You just have to keep nagging I'm afraid (and, like most other pre-school learning, it takes longer than you ever thought possible).

i try and make a joke of it but make a point with it. My son doesnt like it when I say, cupping my hand to my ear, 'ooh did i leave the washing machine on?'