eating by herself

You may be overprotective but that is part of your job.. Let the little one eat by herself while you are close by watching.. My son is turning 27 now and I do still remember my mother telling me, "Don't make him eat that if he isn't hungry", Well, I knew that he hadn't eaten anything all day and I made him eat whatever it was.. I didn't complain too loudly when he threw it up all over me.. MY mom didn't laugh too loudly either.. Mothers are a lot smarter than we give them credit for as they have already been through everything that we are going through at the time.. But do stay close by and watch her eat, it might be a fun experience..

ABSOLUTELY - if you keep over-mothering her like that & not let her do things for herself, she'll never want to do them! My daughter was doing everything for herself (like that) before she was 1, biscuits, trying to eat spaghetti, using her fingers to eat whatever we had for dinner etc - kids love feeding themselves & making mess, it's all a part of their developement & it's very important for their motor skills. Your daughter really isn't a baby any more, she's a toddler & should be able to feed herself for sure! I think you need to relax a bit too - the worst that will happen is she'll make a mess of herself but it's not that bad really! Perhaps you're just a little too worried that she isn't so much a baby any more & don't want to let do these things as it's a sign she's getting older & doesn't need you to do it all for her any more. I know it might sound harsh but give it a try, watch her have fun trying to feed herself & know you're doing the right thing & not stopping her from developing like she should be!

This area is tricky. I have to say I think mom is right. I know we all won't agere on this but depending on what she is eating she should be able to eat by herself. It may be messy and a pain to clean up but she will get better at it every day. You don't want to ruch a child of course but you don't want to hold her back either. I say let her go for it.

My daughter is 2 years old and she has been eating by herself since she was about 13 or 14 months, she was very determined about it and there was no way she was letting anyone feed her!! Occasionally now she will let her Dad feed her if she is feeling a bit lazy but other than that she is miss independant!! I think if your daughter is not happy about it then she will let you know, the trouble with toddlers is that when left to feed themselves they do not eat as much as when we feed them. If your daughter is showing signs of wanting to feed herself then just let her do what she can, you can always feed her a bit more if she gets fed up of eating herself. I think that she will let you know when she thinks you are being a little too protective!!

It depends what you are feeding her and what you feel comfortable with. I would allow her to try and get used to eating by herself as she may become used to you doing it and refuse in the coming months. She is about a year and a half and should be encouraged to feed herself. I personally feel she is getting to old to be fed by an adult but depends on what you are feeding her at the time and where you are. I mean if you out in a restauarant and want to make sure she eats something then you could feed her but if you were at home I would let her enjoy feeding herself. Hope you are able to sort out your differences with your mother x

I have let my children eat by themselves as soon as they were able to. Probably around a year old is when I stopped helping them. They might be messy, and probably get more on their face than in it, but it is good practice. My son is 22 months, and I can't remember the last time I helped him eat. He eats the same foods we do, just cut up smaller, and he uses a fork and spoon without a problem. The only time he makes a mess is when he's not hungry and decides to purposely throw his food on the floor and wear his plate as a hat.

Its personal choice and depends on the child, my eldest was 14 months when she could confidently feed herself enough food that I didnt need to worry about helping, my youngest was closer to 18 months before I didnt have to intervene. Maybe allow your daughter to try it certainly wont do any harm give her a spoon and fork and just sit and watch her have a spoon yourself to help her if she cant manage to get enough in so that she doesnt go hungry.

Your child has her own developmental stage that she will master at her own level. I can't begin to tell you all of the unsolicited advice that I get as being a mom. People tell me things that I need to do as if I am a brand new mom. I have three kids.. I am tired of hearing advice that I did not ask for. Just let your child do as she do. But, only encourage her to reach her goal. That is all that you have to do as a mom.

Yes love I too think she is too young to and you as her mother should enjoy that time feeding her.