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Blogger shares how a lot of modern parenting advice is just totally bizarre and twisted and goes against nature.

Kate a mum of three from the blog, Katesurfs, has shared her thoughts on kids eating with their hands and why we should never discipline them for doing so…

Kate writes, “One recent example I read in a very popular parenting book, was that children who eat their food with their hands, are probably doing it to annoy you. Putting them in time out is a recommended ‘action’ to take if your child keeps eating with their hands.

“But, this is so stupid and really goes against nature.

“Digestion starts before you put your food in your mouth. The act of touching your food prepares your digestive system for what’s to come.

“I learned this in India, where almost everyone eats with the most convenient utensil around: your hand, (unless you eat something liquidy that requires a spoon).

“Eating with your hand also prevents you from burning your mouth because your fingers are more sensitive than your mouth, they act as a warning system.

“So, when I saw that my kids preferred eating with their hands, I encouraged them, knowing that eating with the hands is a basic human process. I know some toddlers hate getting their hands dirty and this can be a lot from us over reacting when they do get dirty, or from sensory sensitivities.

“Anyway, I just could not believe my eyes when I read that you should punish a child for eating with their hands.

“Sometimes the ‘modern’ way is actually so backwards!”

People agreed with Kate’s opinion however one comment we do agree with asked, “What age were they talking about??? Like, 11 years old and perfectly capable of using cutlery but using fingers anyway, yeah maybe they’re being inappropriate. But if they’re 2 and just learning then that’s very different.”

Good point!

Do you growl when your children eat with their hands?

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  • I didnt mind if my kids ate with there fingers BUT at the same time it was important that they knew how to use a knife and fork and knew that when we were out they used good table manners.
    I remember when my kids were little and we took them to Sizzlers. There was a family just over from us and honestly I thought the way they were behaving was a prank and tv crew would jump out at any minute to tell me I had been pranked. They ate like pigs at a trough. The noise, the mess, chewing with their mouths open. When they left their table and the surrounds looked like a tornado had been through. I was stunned and disgusted.

    Reply

  • Kids are Kids. It’s natural for a baby to learn the pinser grip while picking up peas or berries off their plate.
    And as they get older they will eventually progress to cutlery.

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  • My youngest has Down syndrome and she licks the bowls and eats mostly with her hands. While I always give her cutlery and encourage her to use it (just to develop the fine motor skill), I most certainly don’t push or force her, but give her the space to eat in her own way.

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  • This is Kate’s way, not the right way. My thoughts are that it depends what is being eaten. I don’t growl at my child for eating with her hands, but I think most foods are best off being eaten with cutlery, cheers.

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  • Our youngest was 2 y.o. in Sept. He has been eating with a spoon most of the time for a few months. He is fairly independent, also trying to copying his older sister and brother. There is some things he still eats with his fingers but then adults do too.

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  • Eating with fingers is normal for most foods. Me I prefer chop sticks then knife n fork. I have an aunt who eats pizza and hamburgers with knife and fork. Some foods are easier to eat with fingers. Chicken pieces, pizzas, hamburgers are easier with fingers. Children need to learn to use cutlery and fingers came first, just have clean hands to start with.

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  • It’s primal and many cultures still eat with their hands! After all there is no better way to eat chicken!!

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  • Basic rule: wash your hands before dinner. As long as you follow that rule, you can eat however you want. My toddler loves using a fork or spoon and is getting good at it, but there are times when he is struggling and I encourage him to just use his fingers. I don’t find it rude. If the baby decides she needs to be fed while I am having dinner then I tend to eat with my hands while feeding her.

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  • Possibly but if we were having dinner at a friends house I wouldn’t want the kids to look feral with their eating. I guess eating with fingers is for sometimes not all the time.

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  • It depends on what you’re eating and whether you’re at home or out, I think.

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  • I agree with so many posts points. It depends on the type of food your child is eating and where you are eating.

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  • It really does depend on the type of food and where you are eating. Sometimes fingers and hands are appropriate and sometimes cutlery. When travelling there are cultural differences too.


    • Definitely ! Whilst traveling in a more rural area of Africa this year, we got to practice eating with our hands out of shared pots & pans, whilst sitting on the floor all around it.



      • Exactly, hands came before utensils,punishing a child for using their hands,seems a tad extreme don’t you think? :O


      • Exactly !

    Reply

  • My grandkids love eating with their fingers and there is nothing wrong with that . Strawberries fish fingers lamb chops the only thing different is kids do what adults want to do.

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  • My boys used to eat with their hands at times. The only condition was that they had to wash their hands first and then wash them after eating. Once they got a bit older they wanted to use cutlery to show they were very grown up. It never hurt them and I wouldn’t punish them for using their hands. At least they were eating. Naturally it depends on what they were eating

    Reply

  • I don’t have an issue with this either. But of course, there are times they should eat with the utensils provided-a restaurant, at the grand parents, etc.


    • It really is about teaching children about the different expectations for dining etiquette depending on location and event and people. Teaching children to know the difference and to adapt to each situation is an important skill.

    Reply

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