I feel very strongly against feeding kids out of our plates. While Dr Spocks mentions that kids love to eat out of their parents’ plates and we must indulge them, the problem starts when every one out there start feeding the kids out of their plate, at times coaxing and cajoling that the kids take a bite out of theirs. This has a cascading effect on the child’s behaviour too. At first they will ask food from people who regularly feed them out of their plates. Encouraged by the positive response, they start asking everyone and then move on to accepting food from strangers too.
I must say, they look really adorable when they make those signs when they see us come with our plates but it gets embarrassing when in a gathering they start taking bites out of everyone’s plates apart from their parents’/ relatives’. On at least two occasions, I had total strangers/ family friends offering my kids food out of their plates. I had to strongly- to the point of rudeness, refuse the offer on behalf of my kids. As a mother, I am concerned about the hygiene issues and therefore felt the need to draw the line somewhere.
That’s besides the point that I hate being questioned when I am asked why I am offering food out of my plate to them. But I am the mother or Hubby is the father and we can take the privilege of being exceptions to the rule. But then, I do bear in mind that instead of feeding the whole meal to them, I give them a piece of roti / fruit and replenish from a separate plate so that they realize that it is their share they are eating and it’s acceptable that they can eat out of their plate but not out of my (and therefore anybody’s) plate.
Moms/ Pops/ Others – what are your views on the subject. Am I wrong? Am I being over protective?
I must say, they look really adorable when they make those signs when they see us come with our plates but it gets embarrassing when in a gathering they start taking bites out of everyone’s plates apart from their parents’/ relatives’. On at least two occasions, I had total strangers/ family friends offering my kids food out of their plates. I had to strongly- to the point of rudeness, refuse the offer on behalf of my kids. As a mother, I am concerned about the hygiene issues and therefore felt the need to draw the line somewhere.
That’s besides the point that I hate being questioned when I am asked why I am offering food out of my plate to them. But I am the mother or Hubby is the father and we can take the privilege of being exceptions to the rule. But then, I do bear in mind that instead of feeding the whole meal to them, I give them a piece of roti / fruit and replenish from a separate plate so that they realize that it is their share they are eating and it’s acceptable that they can eat out of their plate but not out of my (and therefore anybody’s) plate.
Moms/ Pops/ Others – what are your views on the subject. Am I wrong? Am I being over protective?
14 comments:
Agree with your point of view. Those very people who find it cute to see them taking bites out of their plates will find it irritating when the kids grow up a little.
And u r asked why u offer food to them from ur plate...ridiculous. Just tell them u'r not sure where their hands have been in the last hour.
Oh I agree wholeheartedly! As sm says, you never know where those hands have been... Not to mention the long term effect - kids accepting food from strangers. How do you explain to them that a behavior that has been acceptable, and even enjoyed, till now has suddenly become dangerous or unacceptable?
You are right. I think as a parent you shud start using a different serving plate and that can change when people visit and try to feed children. Many do nto understand the basic health reasons behind that.
Since I have a multi-cultural channel, I saw an ad for surf excel with a stupid ad. Eating with hands and washing with hands. How pathetic to see those words used.
I am totally and completely against feeding my child from any plate other than his own and that includes mine and hubby's as well. It is another issue all together that A is a very poor eater and I have never (even as a baby) seen hime intereseted in eating from someone else's plate but if he did it would be an absolute NO! NO! - so you stick to your stance ITW because you know the deal with old habits don't you and especially with kids it is hard to undo what is already done.
Nope...not overprotective just protective. With weird diseases these days better to be safe than sorry :)
The kids are sooo adorable. Give them both a hug from me :)
Agree with you...but the photograph is very cute. =)
I'd agree with you, itchy - even to the point of telling others not to feed your kids. But somehow, people dont understand this - even people with kids of their own - dont get this hygiene concept. the safest option is to feed them first so that they dont have the urge to try from others.
oops!! it seems i am in a wrong league..what can i say :P..btw 3rd scene ready ..:D
I would not allow anyone to feed my child from their plate,infact just recently one of our close family friend tried to do it at the restaurant and I had to ask him not to.I try not to feed her from any of our plates,she has her plate separate and she gets the food from that.You are doing the right thing.
Visiting your blog first time :)
No you are not wrong...Its a good thing to teach good habits right from the start. Also for hygiene issues its always good to keep an eye on what they are eating, how they are eating etc...
Btw I see 2 babies in the pics...Do u have twins?
I completely agree with you- it is indeed a no no- i even try not to give from my own plate and insist that she has the same thing on hers
it gets easier when they eat adult food i guess- at this phase they get confused/ are concerned if u r having something different
but i find it difficult to tell people not to feed anush with their hands - specialy other older kids
Hmm I see your view pt and yes I hate it when strangers offer food from their plates but I think I have been errant on this count 'cos I use my plate/hubbys to feed her while we eat.Actually my dad is very particular and wud never share stuff from his plate with Gabdu and I sometimes get a little pained because Gabdu wants something specifically from his plate though she has it on hers but my dad refuses saying its "jhoota" . Guess my take on this is to draw a line someplace but may be not be as particular as my dad is !
Whilst I agree with u on ur point of view...I might not follow it so strictly with my kids! The reason being my kids r v.v.poor eaters! They just dont like food....infact they like all the junk but not proper food as such. I do feed them frm my plate @times but I;ll not be that particular with others too. Strangers I wldnt encourage ofcourse but known ppl I might not mind that much. But to be honest I do recall any such incident where food was offered to by others or my kids asking others fr food from their plate!
As long as its me & hubby, Its ok but my family really made fun of me when I went to India so I gave up..
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