Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Spoons and such

For the past YEAR, I have not been putting Porgie in her highchair. Shortly after Izzy was born, she started screaming every time I put her in it. In addition to her screaming, I was also confined to the couch, nursing my newborn for 22 hours out of every day. So it was just easier to feed her while she played, instead of putting her into the highchair. I didn't really care at first, because John and I usually ate in the living room anyways.

When Izzy started solids, I claimed that I was going to put Porgie back in her highchair at mealtimes. But that never happened. Instead, I continued to chase her around the house with food. I would not let her feed herself, because I was afraid that she would ruin our carpet. So, I had to feed her every single bite. Honestly, I didn't really mind feeding her every bite. I didn't even mind letting her run around the living room during mealtimes. The thing that bothered me was that she wasn't feeding herself. She needed to learn how to operate a fork and spoon.

This weekend I made a decision. I decided that we were going to start letting Porgie feed herself in the highchair. And guess what? She hasn't thrown a tantrum. Not even one. And she is really good with a spoon. Sometimes she whines to get down after a few bites, but when I explain that she won't get a cookie, she is usually happy to finish her meal.

I have a problem with always expecting the worst. And I am usually pleasantly surprised.

22 comments:

Kris said...

Aww.. Glad it's worked out!

I held back introing a fork and spoon (and bowl really) for awhile out of fear of flying food. Kalila did so good w/ her hands lol, but I knew she needed to learn and finally stepped up and did it. I was pleasantly surprised too. We still get flying food, but it's when she wants down or gets mad lol. And luckily no plates have been thrown either.

Antropóloga said...

She has hidden talents. :)

Anonymous said...

We had the same fear with self feeding. I went to the $ store and bought plastic tablecloths and put them under the highchair. They caught all the dropped spoonfulls of applesauce, yogurt, sweet potoatoes etc... wiped up with a damp cloth. Best dollar I ever spent.

Danielle said...

I have the funniest image of you chasing her around the living room with food! Glad to hear she is using the spoon. It is a tricky thing for kids. Eliza ends up with most everything on herself- but she is stubborn and usually doesn't want me to feed her.

Lindz said...

Ah the power of a cookie. I am so glad that this turned out the way it did rather than what I was expecting. Yay Porgie.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I usually have the opposite problem. I'm glad that worked out so well!

Anonymous said...

Its good to be pleasantly surprised. I thought I was being mean by having Zander eat messy things in his highchair.....good to know he isn't too old. Other stuff I let him sit at his little tikes table and eat.

Just Jiff said...

Yay! The books always say "try and try again" until something works. Sound like it has with you! Yay!

Amanda said...

She is a clever girl (just like her Mummy!)
I'm glad that there was no tantrums!
l,
Amanda x

Laura Marchant said...

Kids will do that to you. I swear they make such a liar out of me daily. Like at my mom's I claim BG won't dare sit in a highchair but at Nana's house she climbs right in.

dani said...

hey, there are many good things about porgie's age... one of the best is that she now understands the power bargaining (cookie, mmm):P
hahaha!!!
love,
dani

Stephanie said...

I'm glad it's working out!

Jen said...

I kinda think I do the SAME THING. It's always a shock to me when my child just like, does what I want... Like I always just assumed that he wouldn't like oranges because of the texture and the acidity- but the other day we were at a restaurant and he grabbed the oranges off my plate and went to town! He LOVES them... Not really the same thing as yours but KINDA. : )

amanda said...

yay for spoons!!

and i too am guilty of always expecting the worst - must work on that this year.

Tabitha said...

That is great ~ Yay for Porgie!
Love and hugs Tabitha XXX

Alicia W. said...

Oh she SO had you siked out. She's a smart little cookie. :o)

anymommy said...

Isn't great when things just happen easily for once!

Rachel said...

I always prepare myself for the worst and when it does not happen-yeah-joy. lol

I am so happy that Porgie is being a big girl. Does Izzy watch her using a spoon and wanna try?

Dana said...

what a big girl!! feeding herself.. how much fun!!!

Chris said...

Yeah - love those kind of surprises. Good for Porgie!

moo said...

YAY for things working out!!

Mary said...

What a good girl!