Children who cannot feed themselves

PolishBigSpender

Shelley84 wrote: »

So you see one child doing this and think thats what all English people do?! Just because he didn't 'seem' ill to someone who knows nothing about him doesn't mean he wasn't. Maybe he just wanted to be fed that day? What is it to you?

No, I'm posting on here to enquire about whether it's normal behaviour or not. I know British children go to school earlier, hence it seemed so strange.

Incidentally, who on earth would agree to feed a child if he couldn't be bothered to feed himself?

As for the sugary drink, what if they were on a day out, are kids not allowed these drinks every now and then? Sometimes, god forbid, I take my son to McDonalds as a treat...quick call Social Services!

Rant over...

Of course, I didn't mention that the child was grossly overweight. I thought it was an irrelevance, but clearly not.

minimoneysaver

Polish, why are you so judgmental? Does it really matter that this child was being fed? I work with special needs children, who all look (I hate this word) 'normal' but need assistance with basic tasks. That one child you saw, does not represent the nation by any means. There will be children who are more able and children who are less able, but the important thing to remember is all children are individuals. Just because a child is form Poland or any other country, doesn't make them better or worse than other children.

PolishBigSpender

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

You better get used to it over here! It is one of my pet hates, it makes me feel ill if i see someone eating with their mouth open. Or speaking with their mouth full_pale_ Bleurgh. However it seems to be increasingly common.

Wow. For us, the stereotype is that the British are the epitome of manners - if you want to see good manners on display, then head to the UK! It's why I'm so shocked about this kid - just doesn't fit my "image" at all of the UK. I lived there for a couple of years as well, so you'd think I'd be used to some things - but still, never seen such a big child being fed before.

Britwife

Obviously this isn't the normal but I wouldn't judge this family because you don't know what the reasons are. My son is getting over bronchitis and doesn't sniffle or need his nose blowing. He is to the point where he doesn't cough all the time yet his appetite is still way off and he is still a bit off in how he feels. These things can't be seen to anyone but him. We went out to eat yesterday and he didn't want to then he did, he ate one bite.

I should add that mental disabilities aren't always visible to the naked eye either. I feel for this little boy and his mom that someone felt so strongly about this and felt he had to be observed and then post on a public forum about it.

PolishBigSpender

minimoneysaver wrote: »

Polish, why are you so judgmental? Does it really matter that this child was being fed? I work with special needs children, who all look (I hate this word) 'normal' but need assistance with basic tasks. That one child you saw, does not represent the nation by any means. There will be children who are more able and children who are less able, but the important thing to remember is all children are individuals. Just because a child is form Poland or any other country, doesn't make them better or worse than other children.

I can tell you for a fact that there was nothing "special needs" about this child except laziness. It looked like he didn't know how to use a fork and knife - which is shocking!

minimoneysaver

Wow, I guess I'm not the only one to feel so strongly about Polish's comments. In the time I took to type my response another five posts were on the board!

pink_princess

You don t want to see my 13 year old eat then :eek:.She s went from being a well mannered eater to a pig in about two months .:cool:

minimoneysaver

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

I can tell you for a fact that there was nothing "special needs" about this child except laziness. It looked like he didn't know how to use a fork and knife - which is shocking!

Just how naive are you?

Plans_all_plans

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Wow. For us, the stereotype is that the British are the epitome of manners - if you want to see good manners on display, then head to the UK!

Not any more!!

PolishBigSpender

minimoneysaver wrote: »

Just how naive are you?

He seemed perfectly capable of blowing bubbles, of drinking from a bottle, reading a comic and other basic things. I've never heard of a disorder that prevents someone from using a knife and fork, yet doesn't hinder them in other activities. Have you?

It's not as if the dexterity required to blow bubbles using one of those little pots of bubble mixture is vastly different from utilising a fork.