DSS (7) no table manners

[LittleBiscuit09]

Hi all,

I have one child (11), DH has two children (10 and 7)

The 7 year old has no table manners, he will regularly take food from peoples plates without asking. It doesn't matter how often we've tried to address this it doesn't stop. Twice in the space of 5 minutes in one meal.

Children are well fed, so no hungry from mums house etc. Older one doesn't do it. I'm at a loss what we can try.

It's embarrassing in restaurants, and I have an anxiety disorder around food, which means when he has taken food from my plate (ninja hands) I then can not eat the remainder of my dinner. It's causing issues because I don't want to go out when they're with us because of it. Which is unfair on them.

Is there any tried and true methods to stop this behaviour and get to the bottom of the cause?

Tia

Cant you just have some sharing onion rings/ chips/ whatever in the middle of the table, totally change the dynamic? Then you can see easily why its happening? Just change the way meals work to suit both of your eating styles?

You are an adult with disordered eating. You have no business eating around a child requiring empathy, patience and stable guidance around learning table etiquette.

This is one of the most nasty things I've read on this board.

My friend's 9 year old is like this. We all went to a friend's house where adult nibbles was served, the kids had their own separate table. He went over to the meats bit and just started touching everything, picking it up sniffing it, putting it back down, stuffing various things into his mouth, licking his fingers then picking up and putting down other foods, etc. It was gross. And....mum and dad said nothing, whilst watching him with a smile on their faces.

I would hate it too OP. Can you make sure you're not sat by him?