Do You......

[MissAnn]

First off....no judging and no right or wrong answers.....

3-5 year olds

Let the kids tear their food apart....such as tacos, hamburgers and sandwiches

Or

Expect they leave their foods intact.

[Miss A]

I cut into manageable portions, with the intention of teaching them to leave the portions whole and learn to eat them that way.

[Josiegirl]

If the kids will eat them by taking apart sandwiches, etc., then by all means, go for it. But if they're tearing apart tacos I'll make sure they use silverware to eat the hamburger filling.

[NillaWafers]

No I don't, and it drives me bonkers when kids do. I do cut it down. I have on DCG who likes to break her sandwiches down and just lick the mayo off the bread. She does this with everything (toast, celery and PB), if it can be licked off, it will be.

[sharlan]

I try to serve in manageable portions. I cut everything prior to serving. I cut sandwiches into quarters or even eighths for the littles.

For some reason, they all like to take their grilled cheese sandwiches apart and eat them that way.

My almost 9 yo grandson has to tear everything apart whether or not it's cut.

[MissAnn]

I cut into manageable portions, with the intention of teaching them to leave the portions whole and learn to eat them that way.

This is what I've been thinking of doing. I have 6 super duper eaters and one who just wants bread and cheese. Tomorrow is hamburgers made with whole wheat bread. I'm prettynsuremshe will pull it apart....but smaller pieces might not seem as intimidating. I guess time will tell.

[MissAnn]

No I don't, and it drives me bonkers when kids do. I do cut it down. I have on DCG who likes to break her sandwiches down and just lick the mayo off the bread. She does this with everything (toast, celery and PB), if it can be licked off, it will be.

Oh that would drive me crazy! Part of what,we are doing is teaching social skills....manners. I just don't think pulling apart a meal someone made for you is good manners. On the other hand.....if it helps them to try smaller pieces of undesirable foods......then that's a plus.

[Ariana]

It's their food so I don't tell them what to do with it besides encouraging good social etiquette like using their utensils.

[ColorfulSunburst]

I solve the problem. I do not provide sandwiches and wrapped food.

[Unregistered]

They can eat it however they want. Do you want people telling you how to eat your food?

[MissAnn]

I solve the problem. I do not provide sandwiches and wrapped food.

I do a lot of deconstructed food. Usually homemade sopes made from masa harina and then taco fixings.....some like it all mixed together and others like individual items. I might do this with the hamburgers.

[MissAnn]

They can eat it however they want. Do you want people telling you how to eat your food?

I find it poor manners to take apart foods served. That's just me....maybe you don't mind.

[e.j.]

As long as they're eating the food, I don't care how it gets done. The only problem I have is if the food lands all over the floor - then I'll ask that they be more careful. I work on table manners as needed but focus more on the older kids. The younger kids overhear what I say and learn as they go.

[MissAnn]

As long as they're eating the food, I don't care how it gets done. The only problem I have is if the food lands all over the floor - then I'll ask that they be more careful. I work on table manners as needed but focus more on the older kids. The younger kids overhear what I say and learn as they go.

My kids are all 3-5 years old. I would be more lenient on younger ones as well.....but I'm also leaning more towards deconstructed meals.

[jenboo]

If the kids will eat them by taking apart sandwiches, etc., then by all means, go for it. But if they're tearing apart tacos I'll make sure they use silverware to eat the hamburger filling.

This.