Self feeding

I like to think of myself as a laid back kind of mom. I try to give Liam space during "free play" so he can explore on his own and I like to think I don't hover over him when he's learning new things.

As Liam is now considered a toddler (although I still think he's my baby) I have tried to encourage him to feed himself during mealtimes. This works really well when he can just grab food with his fingers like toast, diced fruit or veggies. However, Liam has also started grabbing for the spoon when we are feeding him. Before, Evan or I would dodge around him so we could continue with mealtime as quickly as possible.  Now we have come to the realization that he needs to figure this utensil thing out or he's going to be 10 and have a phobia of spoons.

A couple years ago my girlfriend was telling me how controlling she is as a mom. She was explaining that she hates it but she cannot make Christmas cookies with her children. Her children are now 7 and 12 but she still to this day can only make the dough, roll it out and than she will bring the kids in and let them cut out the shapes. She has to leave the room because she cannot help herself from pushing them out of the way because they are doing it all wrong. Her heartrate goes up and she begins to sweat.

I love my girlfriend but I promised myself that I would never be like that. Yet it appears that I am beginning to have some control issues myself.  When Liam grabs for the spoon I have to tell myself "it's ok, calm down he needs to learn how to do this." My heartrate begins to increase, I hold my breath and try to be encouraging to my son. I begin to relax as the spoon heads toward his mouth and than it always, ALWAYS goes in his hair, on the floor or down his front.

I have got to calm down. After all what's the worse that could happen? Spaghetti-O's on the floor?Butters is happy.  Oatmeal in his hair or face? It will wash off. Applesauce on the wallpaper?  Oh well, Evan never liked it anyway.