Master 2.4 still wants me to feed him - what do I do?

[ClaireBlair]

Ok, I know I have created a rod for my own back but for any food that needs cutlery my DS will have a couple of half hearted attempts with a spoon and then give up, saying he's had enough and handing the bowl to me (other than yoghurt in a pottle). So in order to get the food into him I have to spoon feed him. I don't want to be doing this when he's 5! I have tried being tough and just leaving him to do it himself (or even encouraging him to use his hands if the spoon/fork is too hard) but he won't. Finger foods he is fine, but I don't want to have to make every meal finger foods. Any suggestions?

Try buying him some new cutlery, you know special ones, let him choose if need be! I had the opposite with my dd2 she wouldnt allow me to feed her, shes now 2.4 same as your lo, but she has been like this for about the last 6mths shes very independant, and can at times make an awful mess! Try not to give in too, i know its hard because you want him to eat but if you take over everytime he refuses to feed himself, then he will continue to do it. He will eventually get the message that he has to do it himself or he will be hungary.

Game playing? Can you balance on your spoon? Two spoons and take turns. Serve meals without forks (nearly everything bar soup can be finger food) Play about with different cutlery, try buying some new stuff together. Get him to fork-feed you and then himself.

You won't be doing when he is 5 though, it is just a phase.