The shocking photo that shows how my MIL treats my school-aged kids

"It's so weird to see it...isn't there an age where they shouldn't have to do this?"

3 min read

July 1, 2024 - 10:57AM

Parenting

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A mum has shared a photo of what her MIL forces her school-aged kids to do when they visit, and there's a striking detail that has shocked her - and many others.

The photo shows her two kids at her MIL's house, sitting on the couch and having dinner. It seems innocent enough, but on closer inspection, her children are wearing baby bibs as they eat their pizza.

Not those disposable bibs that you wear when you're eating things like lobster. Actual baby bibs.

The mum captioned her post: "At what age do you stop using bibs? I have a MIL that insists my two still use one!"

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The original photo the mum shared of her children. Source: Facebook

While the mum didn't give any details about her children's age, they seem old enough to be in primary school.

It is also important to remember that some children and adults need to wear clothing protection when feeding themselves, but this doesn't seem to be the case here because the mum says that it's not necessary for her kids.

And while she's not encouraging pizza grease on PJs or grandma's furniture, the photo sparked a debate about an age limit to "baby bibs" being worn.

"Those kids are way too old"

People in the comments were generally confused by the photo.

"Oh no, they look too old unless they are extremely messy. I think we stopped around 2ish," read one.

"Those kids are way too old, plus they are only eating pizza. If MIL is concerned about making a mess, they should eat at the table and not wear a bib. My kids were less than a year old when they stopped wearing bibs," another agreed.

A third pleaded to think of the children: "Tell her it's ridiculous to wear one at their age. Just don't make them wear one. Imagine how they are feeling."

This mum wondered what happened to table manners: "If they have been taught to eat correctly, in a food-friendly location, there is no need for bibs at a great age. If there is a need because they are messy and can’t put food in their mouths, they need to be taught.

"I’d suggest that she provide them food in a more appropriate location and in which they use cutlery, not their hands."

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"How the hell is she getting them over their heads?"

Another asked the question many were thinking: "My question is though, how the hell is she getting them over their heads as those look like the ones that don't open...lol!"

There were hundreds of more opinions, with many agreeing that it's fine for kids and adults to protect their clothing... just perhaps in a more age-appropriate way.

"I'm all for it. I might even reintroduce it for my nine-year-old, who can't help but drop stuff on herself every meal," one mum joked.

"Mine is 12 months old and just pulls it off, so we don’t use them. My daughter, who’s nine, wraps a tea towel around her neck, haha. I’m all for that," another shared.

"We stopped around one. But if we bathed and wore pyjamas before dinner, I’d be more likely to put a towel on the couch in this case," a third added.

"I'm with her!"

So many others loved the concept - not for their kids, but for themselves.

"I'm 36 and should probably still use one. I get everything all over my clothes here and there, and I'll pop a tea towel in my collar and let it hang. This is genius and saves the hassle of scrubbing," one wrote.

"I wore a bib to my first wedding… I was 23… so whenever they stop spilling sh*t on themselves," another agreed.

What did you think of school-aged kids wearing baby bibs? Does it matter? Tell us in the comments on Facebook!