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Children who cannot feed themselves
Comments
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I wouldn't say that it is very common to see a child of around 5 years of age being fed like that. But you never know the circumstances behind it. Just because he can drink by himself there may be many underlying reasons why he is still being fed by a carer/relative.
My youngest son is 5 years old and can now feed himself. However this has only been happening for the last year and he looks much older than he is, so I had alot of people staring at me when I use to feed him. He was very seriously ill when he was born and had alot of medication by mouth. He was also terribly traumatised by other events that were going on in our lives when he was tiny. He refused point blank to allow anything other than a bottle near his mouth and had to have a special diet of a highly nutritious milk till he was 3 1/2. It took a huge number of specialists working with him and me to get him to where he is now.
I hope that the little child you saw is just an awkward eater and the adult with him was just not in the mood to spend ages waiting whilst he ate. I hope he doesn't have big problems0 -
PolishBigSpender wrote: »I was in the UK for a couple of days for a business trip.
So, I was in a shopping centre, when I decided to buy something to eat from the "food court". After having selected a meal, I sat down - and what do I see? I see someone actually feeding a child of 5-6 years old. The child was having the food not only cut for him, but also given to him - he appeared to be completely incapable of feeding himself. To make matters worse, he was also eating with his mouth OPEN.
Now, before anyone suggests that there was something wrong with the child - he was perfectly capable of drinking some awful sugar-laden drink from the bottle without spilling any.
My question is this - is this normal for British children? In Poland, you would never see a 5 year old being fed by his parents in such a way!
Was going to keep my response to you really polite, but have now read some of your ghastly posts on this thread. Eastern Europeans seem to have a real distain to children who they regard as having problems. The ignorant and cruel way you look down your nose at this child is really rude.
I have travelled extensively in Poland and other areas of Eastern Europe. Mainly Russia, where any child with a problem is hidden away and not intergrated into society, like they are something to be ashamed of. I know which country and culture I would rather live in.0 -
My Polish friend,
You and I well know that Polish mothers are more smothering than their English counterparts so I'm curious why you would start such a post if not to be a little mischievous ?No Unapproved or Personal links in signatures please - FT30 -
A little more sensitivity is demanded of PolishBigSpender?
Well, perhaps. On the other hand, a lot of parents need to get the chips off their shoulders too."Never underestimate the mindless force of a government bureaucracyseeking to expand its power, dominion and budget"Jay Stanley, American Civil Liberties Union.0 -
Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »I honestly don't believe you're asking these questions for real and so shouldn't really be answering them, but I have a real bugbear about seeing healthy children in pushchairs! It's so lazy and controlling.
So yes, it's very common. It's convenient and minimises potential moaning about walking.
My personal view is that once a child is walking, they should walk. Obviously they can't walk far, or quickly, at the age of 1. But by 2 and certainly 3, I don't see the need for pushchairs if the child is physically healthy and developmentally able to communicate (ie understands instructions to hold hands crossing roads, stays close etc.)
Shopping did take a while with my 1 year old; she really hated prams. But we had the time.
You shouldn't generalize like this. We are 2 miles from town and I ususally walk it. My 2 year old is not capable of this. That would be 2 miles up, all the walking for shopping, and then 2 miles back. She is perfectly healthy. My 4 year old may have arthritis in his knee joints (still looking into it) and when it's bad, there are times when he is in the pushchair. I'm not at all embarrassed or upset. I thank God it does't happen too often, maybe 3 times in the past year, but I pray more that it's not arthritis and he grows out of it. It kills me to see my child in pain and the last thing on my mind is what someone like you thinks of my child being in a pushchair.
Your words are really hurtful and out of line and again, just as the original poster, judging all because of one or a few.
You're welcome to point out where I'm being controlling and lazy. Is it where I don't want to make my daughter walk more than 5 miles at the age of 2? Or is it where I don't want my child to be in pain and lets him sit in the buggy?
What a sad judgement0 -
Hi, sorry I havent read the entire thread, just skimmed through. I have a 12 year old son with serious health problems and related anxiety issues who does not always behave in the way that "normal" children might behave.
You couldnt tell just by looking at him that there is anything wrong.
When I see a child misbehaving in public, or doing something odd or unusual I dont see it in quite the same way as I did before my son became ill. Sadly I have learned this lesson the hardest way possible.0 -
WhiteHorse wrote: »A little more sensitivity is demanded of PolishBigSpender?
Well, perhaps. On the other hand, a lot of parents need to get the chips off their shoulders too.
I dont have a chip on my shoulder, thank you.
Neither do other parents on here who have enough to cope with looking after their children without dealing with people like PolishBigSpenders remarks and attitude.0 -
frasersmum123 wrote: »he doesnt have the co-ordination to get cutlery from the plate to his mouth..
I'm 21 and still have this issue. I've been asked many times (by family) if I want a bib...:rotfl:You shouldn't generalize like this. We are 2 miles from town and I ususally walk it. My 2 year old is not capable of this. That would be 2 miles up, all the walking for shopping, and then 2 miles back. She is perfectly healthy. My 4 year old may have arthritis in his knee joints (still looking into it) and when it's bad, there are times when he is in the pushchair. I'm not at all embarrassed or upset. I thank God it does't happen too often, maybe 3 times in the past year, but I pray more that it's not arthritis and he grows out of it. It kills me to see my child in pain and the last thing on my mind is what someone like you thinks of my child being in a pushchair.
My brother is 18 months older than me. When I was a baby, he'd walk and I'd be in the pram. Mum used to get dirty looks from people because apparently, she was making him walk the 2 miles into town or whatever. I'm sure there are many 2 year olds who don't want to be in their pram.Sealed pot challenge #232. Gold stars from Sue-UU - :staradmin :staradmin £75.29 banked
50p saver #40 £20 banked
Virtual sealed pot #178 £80.250 -
WhiteHorse wrote: »A little more sensitivity is demanded of PolishBigSpender?
Well, perhaps. On the other hand, a lot of parents need to get the chips off their shoulders too.
We do not have a chip on my shoulder, we just do not see why everyone can not be treated with a little respect no matter their age or abilities0 -
We do not have a chip on my shoulder, we just do not see why everyone can not be treated with a little respect no matter their age or abilities
I also don't see why someone should be so judgemental.Sealed pot challenge #232. Gold stars from Sue-UU - :staradmin :staradmin £75.29 banked
50p saver #40 £20 banked
Virtual sealed pot #178 £80.250
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