how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils? josh can use them (although he still flips the food over on the spoon way too often for my taste) but for some things he rather use his fingers (rice) and i'm not sure how insistant i should be.

thanks!

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Not strict at all, he is only little and he is learning how to use them. It does take time!

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Not strict at all. Brooke sometimes chooses to not use any and I just ignore it. Although Kaitee yells at her about it, so Kaitee is the strict one

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

not too strict either. she likes to use them for most things and does make a mess-that can be annoying but i try to bite my tongue. sometimes she just gives up and uses her fingers and thats ok with me. as long as she uses them sometimes. she's 23 months.

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

not strict at all. as long as its going in his mouth and not on my walls I am fine.

I don't let him play with it though...

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

I am not strict at all. DS knows how to use them, but sometimes gets frustrated that he can't get the food as fast as he wants it. So he will switch to using his fingers. At 20 months, I am just happy that he is eating! Don't care that much how the food gets into his mouth!

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

not strict at all. Got DD plastic forks and spoons when she was around 18 mos (she is almost 21 mos now)and she loves using them.
I don't make a big deal of it is she doesn't. at least not yet.

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

i'm so glad i asked! thanks guys!

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

DD prefers to feed herself - and likes to use her utensils so it hasn't been an issue too much. When she decides to use her hands for something that isn't a pick up item I simply say where is your fork or spoon and she laughs and picks the utensil back up and uses it. She still makes a mess somedays - but when we are at home I let it be.

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

as long as she is eating, I would not care if it was with her toes

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

not strict at all...she is a picky eater and meals are a struggle...as long as shes eating , Im happy. I know she knows how to use them so thats all that matters.

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

not strict at all. I feel that as long as I offer her the utensils at a meal eventually she will use them. Sometimes we'll suggest using her fork/spoon, but if she doesn't it is no big deal. In fact she asked for her fork tonight. She didn't use it, but she knew it was supposed to be on the table so I guess that's a start.

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Not at all strict , he is still learning.

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Posted by Mikismom

as long as she is eating, I would not care if it was with her toes

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Not strict at all...

The only food that bothers me is yogurt. She insists in feeding herself and it gets so messy and takes FOREVER since most if the time she's dipping the spoon instead if scooping. Then she gets frustrated and starts dipping her fingers in it to eat it!!! And then has a tantrum if i try to feed her or take it away!

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Not strict at all!

Re: how strict are you with your toddler about using utensils?

Not strict-we always have utensils out and she can use them but sometimes prefers to use her hands. The only time it gets me is when it's yogurt or pudding or cottage cheese-like a pp said, that gets sloppy.