I have two one year old mindees and a five year old one. The older one "likes" to help with the feeding. I am always there in the room, parents are happy but what would Mrs O say?

I'd be interested in any replies to this one too as have a very 'helpfull' young lady here :D

I have two one year old mindees and a five year old one. The older one "likes" to help with the feeding. I am always there in the room, parents are happy but what would Mrs O say?

I'm tempted to answer "Who Cares?" You are there supervising (and I mean supervise within touching distance, just being in the room isn't enough), then everyone is safe and happy. Mrs O comes once every 3 years - just don't do it on that day if it worries you. (I wouldn't be saying that if you were doing anything bad btw!) Its not like you are being negligent - do a risk assessment if it makes you happier but, honestly, paranoia is taking hold here.

Providing you are supervising why not. Its a home from home experience - a true hands on bona fide learn at home with mother type of learning.

my ex mindee (4) used to love giving the baby (12mnth) her yogurt.

can't see the harm as long as you are close at hand.

As long as you are supervising I would imagine Mrs O would be quite impressed. As far as the older child is concerned it ticks soooo many boxes with regards to PSED, helping others, self control etc.

I have a mindee who started helping feed a baby mindee when she was in nursery (she's in school now). She looked forward to baby's visits so she could give him his yoghurt after lunch. It was sooo cute watching and listening to her say the same things that adults say when feeding babies....'open wide', 'mmmmm you like that don't you?', 'yum yum for your tum' etc etc. I made sure that she knew how much yoghurt to load up the spoon with, and to hold it just in front of babies mouth for him to take (ie not push the spoon into his mouth IYSWIM). I video'd it once to share with the parents and they all thought it was great. Baby's mum was impressed because he was generally quite fussy about who could feed him, he would accept food off mum, dad and me but not his grandparents or his older siblings!

By all means risk assess it if you feel it is necessary

As long as you are supervising I would imagine Mrs O would be quite impressed. As far as the older child is concerned it ticks soooo many boxes with regards to PSED, helping others, self control etc.

I was just going to say something similar. And let's face it - you'd let your own kids do it with younger siblings wouldn't you? And we're a home away from home so I can't see a problem

That's great thanks all. I must say DS always eats more when mindee feeds him!:(

i had a four year old who loved to help feeding the 1 year old, the 1 year old loved it too - :) x