8 yr old's eating habits?

Question

My daughter has this horrible habit when she eats her food. I'm always trying to correct her but it's so hard for her. When eating any type of finger food she will pick little tiny pieces of whatever she is eating and make a terrible mess of her hands and face. In my opinion she is way to old to be making such a mess but please tell me should I lay off her a little or what? It makes me crazy!!! She is a beautiful girl that takes good care of herself and has pride but this....just........urgh

Answer 1

Relax, it's ok. Yes she is a bit old to be making a mess while eating but showing your frustrations is not going to help you any. When eating finger foods try having it already cut up into bite size pieces for her so all she has to do is pick it up and put it in her mouth.

If you want to teach her the correct, clean way to eat a meal why not make it fun. Have a "tea party" for the 2 of you, that should make it fun for her and she'll pay attention, hopefully.

Answer 2

It must be a terrible situation. I imagine it's been a while since you ate at a restaurant.

If your daughter is 8, I don't think she should be treated like a baby, but maybe you have to go back to basics with her. I think she does this so she does not have to eat lots.

Make meal times fun. Give her less on her plate. This has to stop! My daughter is 8 and if she did anything like that, I would withhold all the yummy things she likes and give her boring food and tell her that the menu will change when her disgusting eating habits change. I sound mean but you have to be tough.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Invite some her friends over for dinner and see how she goes. Most likely, she'll emulate them and won't make such a mess. But I wouldn't worry too much. In another year or two, she'll out-grow this habit when she realises her peers don't like childish eaters.

Answer 4

Does she struggle with her handwriting or other small motor skills? Maybe you should have her evaluated for occupational therapy, which can help with this issue. It doesn't sound like she is doing this on purpose. in the meantime, I would try to help her by giving her large pieces she can handle (like biting into) and have her clean up right after eating. Try not to embarrass her if she is not doing it on purpose, but use as much positive reinforcement as you can when she does a good job or makes progress.

Answer 5

You need to give her a time limit for eating. Tell her that she has to be done eating by the time you are and that her food needs to be gone (or at least mostly gone). When you are done, take her plate away from her. She will most likely be hungry still, but she will learn that when it's meal time she needs to eat and she doesn't have forever to sit and pick at her food until she is full.

Answer 6

I say pick your battles & don't sweat the small stuff. I mean just have her wash her hands & face when she's done. Most kids are messy eaters anyway...

But if you insist on attempting to fix this issue, then give her wetnaps to use during dinner. Have her continually wipe her face & hands as she eats.

Answer 7

she is 8, let her be a kid. there are stories every where that children are growing up to fast. my son does the same thing i just make him wash his own face and help me cleanup the rest of the mess. don't give her complex. she is eight remember that eight short years ago she was a baby. breath breath that is all it takes.

Answer 8

I think that you are worrying over nothing. Back off for like a week and see what happens. Kids are Kids. Let them be kids cause they grow up way to fast!

Answer 9

part of it might be just cause it annoys u so try to lay off like o.k. but as long as she cleans herself let her be but if it keeps goin like this for more than a few months get on her about it just a lil don't smother her!!! *_*

Answer 10

As long as it is just at home don't make a huge deal out of it. If she does it at a reastaurant tell her that it is not appropriate and that she cannot go out again if she is going to do it.