Daughter Wants to Eat off of Parents Plate!

My son did this too, and he outgrew it pretty quickly. He got the nickname "Baby Bird" because he always walked around with his mouth open trying to get a bite from anyone at the table. Now I can't get him to sit on my lap and take a bite of what I have for anything so enjoy it while it lasts!

You know, we never had this issue, but my six year old when she was about your daughters age, would only eat if I fed her. She would have to sit on my lap and eat, or she would not eat at all. It drove my husband crazy because she was old enough to feed herself. I let him know that it didn't bother me a bit and she was my baby so I would just feed her and keep encouraging her to try. Now, she is six and has been feeding herself since I don't know when. So she must have outgrown the phase. So I guess it just depends on if it bothers you or not. If you wish to break the habit, maybe take her out to pick out her own special dish set and let her pick what she wants on her plate. Then let her know when she is done, she can help carry her plate to the sink and wash it. My daughters LOVED to help (and still do). Just try something creative. And, when she reaches for your food, just tell her no. If she throws a fit, as long as she isn't hurting anything...ignore her. It may take awhile, but she'll come around...or get very hungry!

Good luck..she sounds delightful!

CK

Hi G.,
I have a little boy that just turned 2 and he does the same thing. Not every meal but sometimes. I don't worry about it much. I bet she will outgrow it and as long as you are teaching her manners despite where she sits she'll get it. You should feel lucky that she eats so much. LOL!! I have a friend who's little boy never eats. It is very frusterating for her. Anyway, I'm sure she'll grow out of it. Good luck.
Chris

Why can't she eat off your plate?? If you are going to hold her during meal times- I would think eating off of the plate in front of her would be the thing to do, maybe I just don't understand where the problem is?

I am a mom of a 7, 5 and 2.5 year old. All of my boys did this and one currently does. It happens for a very short time, although it may seem like forever. But they do start sitting in their own seat and eat their own food. At that age, it is just fun to sit with mom or dad or even a grandparent and eat their food. Do worry about this one, it will change so quickly and you will be wishing they would sit with before you know it!

My daughter was the same way (she always wanted to sit with her daddy, although she would eat off her own plate but he would need to feed her). She just kind of outgrew it sometime within the last six months (she's almost 3).

I know this really isn't advice, but just letting you know it won't last forever.

She'll probably outgrow it on her own before too long. If it really bothers you, you could load up a plate at her place with her favorite foods and stock yours with really healthy veggies and such. Worst case scenario is she starts eating really healthy. :) Another option is to get her a special plate of her own, or having her plate next to yours for now so she can still sit on your lap (which might be the part she's enjoying so much) but move towards eating from her own plate.

I disagree with some of the other resoponses. It may hurt her to eat of your plate, Germs.
It is rude I don't care what age.
I don't eat off of my childs plate and in turn she should not eat off of mine!
If she asks me politley to try something that is on my plate that is not on hers then I will give her a bite and if she likes it I will give her some of her own.
Put her in her chair and make her stay, if she doesn't stay then take her down, dinner time is done. She won't starve if she misses a meal...you offered, it was her choice not to eat.
And yes I belive you should not be a short order cook for your child, if they are old enough to chew what you are eating then they should eat the same thing. It is a waste of time and energy to cook 3 diff meals.

G., I used to get so drained with my son. It was like I was his slave. Everyone needs to have boundaries. Boundaries do not mean that you are teaching your child that "sharing" is bad. It just means she is learning that "boundaries" are good. She probably will grow out of it, but that is not the point. It is what she is learning because of the enabling that would be my concern. Where are your boundaries? Where will her's be? You've already stated that she shares well with her brother, so I don't think she will develop a sudden loss of that. I'd just put her back in her chair, and create the boundary you want. If she fusses, she fusses. But, then she'll get over it, if you keep eating like normal. Like anything else you want to teach her, teach her. When she is older, knowing boundaries will actually be her friend. Good luck.
J.

My 16 month old loves to eat off of everyones plates, he will literally go from plate to plate, we are a family of nine (7 kids plus mom and dad) I know for a fact that he will out grow it, I can remember a time in all of my kids lives where they have done this, keep offering her her plate, just a thought, is she still in a high chair? Maybe invest in a booster seat so that she is sitting at the table right next to you, that is what helped with my know 6 year old. But rememeber this really isn't a big deal, you will have much more pressing issues down the road.