This is not normal. The only 5 year old that I know who was hand fed by his parent... was the child of a divorced man that my mom dated several years ago. The man was a "guilty daddy" who did whatever his little boy wanted. I believe this is detrimental to the child.

NO, it is absolutely not "normal" unless the child has developmental issues, brain damage or something like that. A normal child should not be handfed. I don't even feed my two year old, and he wouldn't let me anyway.

Sometimes when SD5 is acting up while eating, (for example taking two hours to eat a very small portion of whatever is given to her) we might baby feed her and then ask her if she liked it, if she likes to be a baby, and how her school friends would probably call her a "baby". She doesn't like the idea of being a "baby" and laughed at, and she resumes eating.

Sincerely,

G

"I will die on my feet before I live on my knees"

I don't believe that this is normal. My 2 1/2 year old nephew feeds himself. Kids need to learn how to be self-sufficient...

"There are two things over which you have complete dominion, authority, and control over - your mind and your mouth".

Yeah, lazy, like steperg said, might play into it. Guilty, wanting the 5 y/o to remain a "baby" as long as they can..ugh..all possible.

I don't think it's normal. My SS is 5 and we butter his toast and cut his food into smaller pieces. The kid doesn't use a fork or knife because he usually eats finger food (even more sad, actually) but he will use a spoon..for ice cream! lol

I'm all about teaching as much independence, as early as possible. Not pushing or forcing the child, but at least allowing and encouraging them to do things on their own first before having to ask for help. It ain't rocket science.

Someone on here said that to combat a picky eater let them help you cook the meals.

No this is not normal but not unheard of either.

We had to hand feed ours at 5 years old.
My SS has development problems though.