Feeding my 15 month old

[Pucci]

I am working full time and my MIL and FIL look after my 15 month old son while I am at work.

Usually when it is meal time they will put him in his high chair and feed him his lunch etc. But there are some occasions when he has no interest in eating and wants out of the chair. So my MIL takes him out of the chair and lets him down so he can continue to run around and play. She then continues to feed him chasing him around with a spoon while he's running about.

I was told by "experts" that this is not good to do as it teaches bad eating habits for the child. The child should be sitting down when it is time to eat.

When I tell this to my MIL. She says, "well, he won't eat, what else are we to do. This is the only way to get him to eat. We will worry about table habits when he is older, the important thing is to get food in him".

I don't like this too much but she's gonna do what she's gonna do. One of the downsides of having in-laws look after your child.

[just17]

Your MIL probably did the same thing with your husband when he was little. I'm pretty willing to bet you don't have to chase him around with a spoon to get him to eat dinner. So, she may have a point. Ha ha Just kidding!

One thing I learned working in childcare, kids pick up REAL fast that the rules at home, aren't necessarily the rules at other places. When you are watching your son, enforce your rules. He may initially see if he can get away with something, but eventually they learn that what Mama wants, Mama gets. Your MIL is just creating more work for herself, and eventually she will get tired and put her foot down I'm sure.

For now, just enjoy the blessing that you know your child is in a safe, loving environment while you are working. How awesome that she is trying so hard to make sure that her grandson gets everything he needs! That is worth it's weight in gold, trust me!

Just my 2 cents. You are a great mom to be so concerned about your son's well being! The world can use much more mom's like you!

[HSmomto4]

Let them run. I don't fight with my little ones about eating, they sit at the table with us as a family by the time they are 2.

[wife]

He will come when he is hungry. Food is at the table... I did that with my kids. But your MIL will do what she sees best. I don't see this as something to fight about. Your son will pick up on your rules

[Betty]

grandmas will be grandmas.
My mom would not make my kids eat their meals, would give them dessert when they wanted it, etc. They both grew up to be fine adults. Kids soon learn that rules are different at grandma's house. Now that I am a grandma, I too spoil mine. That is the fun of being a grandma. After all we got to have something fun about being old.:yay
betty

[chel0524]

I have three kids. Let me tell you your MIL is doing okay. It will not hurt your child at all to get up and leave the table and take a few bites from her here and there. This is something they will grow out of.

[Pucci]

Thanks for your input ladies. I guess I should not be too concerned then.

[Free]

"experts" aren't always right, each child is different, each home enviroment is different, etc. My In laws watched my daughter while I worked and I agree with Just17 kids figure out whose rules are where really early. I learned to relax on their doing things their way unless it was really important to me.

The benefit of having your parents or inlaws watching your child while you work is knowing that they have your childs best interest in mind and they will give them the love and safety as you would...so safety, nuturing and health are intact, if your mother in law wants to run around with a spoon--so be it:idunno