Lately, like in the last 1 1/2 weeks Tuki has been stuffing her mouth full and then holding the food for like, well it feels like forever. I, of course don't handle it well at all. I know this behavior can rot the teeth out and it stresses me out to no end. Plus sometimes she will actually start drooling out the contents. Now, mind you she doesn't do it all the time, but I'd say at least once to twice each day.
How do I handle it, well like I said I handle it badly and that is why I am blogging about it. I need help. I, first, of course try to ignore it, doesn't help, then I get mad and tell her to "chew the food", doesn't help, she just says "no". Then I yell at her to "CHEW", thereby letting her know that this is an issue that bothers me, also sending her the message, that yes, as a two year old trying to gain control over a situation, you now have it... like I said, I handle it poorly, then sometimes I have even manually moved her jaws to help her chew, of course this is not effective. Basically it becomes a big scene, to the point, in the end she is crying and I am really mad. Once she finally does chew the food, I praise her right away, we give each "high fives" and then I explain that she should not stuff her mouth and hold food again, in which she replies "OK". But of course, she does do it again....and so we go for another round of the above.
I know that this can be a behavior in kids that were in orphanages and have experienced a shortage of food in their life. But Tuks has not had this, she had a great foster family, and she has been home close to two years (May).....so please help if you have been through this with your kids and how did you deal with it, and how long did it last....
Thanks in advance for your help...because I am at my wits end.................
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Toddler "Tude" and Mama "Tude" Issue
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8 comments:
I think I would cut up her food and only give her a piece at time for awhile. Or only offer her a drink when it is "all gone"....
I have a thought. I don't know anything about children from orphanges. Is this a behavior caused by fearing not getting food later? If so, you might just start huggin her and tell her you love her and she is safe and there will be more food later. I have a feeling I am only suggesting things you have already tried.
Oh my little Finn was like this and then he would choke...I was more scared of that then anything. So we cut (and still do sometimes) his food into tiny little pieces and tell him he must sit down to eat. He is only now starting to get his food in regular sizes and only when he sits up at the table with the rest of us. He does it because he wants to play though.
I would cut it up very small and only give her small amounts on her plate at a time. I also wouldn't make a big deal out of it. The food isn't going to rot her teeth that quickly and the more big of a deal you make it, the more her two year brain will make her do it.
I agree with Jen to not get too stressed about it. At two years old you have very little you can control but two things they can control is eating & going to the bathroom. Don't make them issues or she will get worse.
My new little guy does that (more hoarding so no one else gets it) & I have to tell him no more eat what's in your mouth & too your tummy & we rub our tummies. He thinks it is funny but will swallow his food down.
I wouldn't worry about your babes teeth unless she is holding the food in her mouth for hours.
Good luck Mom
Laurie
I agree with the others about not letting this be an emotional issue with you. You don't want to put any more emotion tied to food then she already has.
I agree with the others about not letting this be an emotional issue with you. You don't want to put any more emotion tied to food then she already has.
You got some good advice here! Paloma doesn't hold food in her mouth, but she will stuff it fuller than full, thereby freaking me out with the choking. I too cut up super tiny pieces, and then only put a little out at a time. Granted, I haven't eaten a warm dinner since the child began eating table food, but at least she's no longer choking :)
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