My three-year-old son is very independent! He thinks he can do everything himself and has a tantrum if he can’t. It’s not been easy explaining to him why he can’t help me use a sharp knife! I’m a first-time mom and a single mom! Advice please! I’ve told him that it will hurt him and he’s too little but he is very persistent.
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Let him use the knife, with very close supervision. Don’t tell him he can’t do anything, show him how to do things safely
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Find something else for him to do to help
Give him a butter knife and let him feel like he’s helping u
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Buy a fake food and utensil kitchen set so he can use his fake knife to “help you.” Just clean them before they touch your actual food when he’s “helping” haha
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Give him a butter knife or a play knife! My daughter is the same way, although she’s 4 1/2 now but she did and still does help with literally everything. She “wash’s” the dishes before they go in the dishwasher. “Helps” fold laundry and all though. They just want to be included 
My 2.5 (almost 3) year old uses one of his wooden play knives or a butter knife to “help” me.
Let him use it with your hands on his to guide it. That’s what I did
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Give him a butter knife, let him be independent. If he’s struggling, suggest a way he could do it differently. Don’t put out his fire.
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You can get kid safe ‘sharp’ knives!
Butter knife. My 5yr old is the same always wanting to help.
Let him help with the knife. I did with my daughter as long as she was listening. Paring knife and let him help me make dinner. He’ll probably be a better eater too if he helps make dinner. Find something very sturdy for him to stand on while he’s helping or do it at the table.
Give him a butter knife and a carrot.
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He’s 3, he is testing himself and his mom. You must set the boundaries and stick to them. If he throws a tantrum ignore it, he’s looking for attention.
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My daughters been cooking since she was 2 they have kids knife sets or you can give him a butter knife if you don’t think he’s read to learn aboutv knife safety yet.
I got my son the plastic knives that arent sharp but will cut and let him have at it with his own little cutting board! He loved it!
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Get him safe knives or let him use a slicer instead (supervised of course!)
Let him use a plastic knife and have him cut lettuce for a salad or some fruit or veggies that he can eat alongside you.
My middle child who is 3 is very strong willed, this book was a game changer for us.
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My 2 year old’s favorite words “No mom, me do it. Me grown up.” 
hang in there, you aren’t alone!
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He is a toddler. His level of understanding and your level of understanding are not the same.
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It’s the tantrum to address , firm but loving and no is no , you have set the level for him and you are the parent .
Target sells children’s knives so they can learn how to cook safely. So long as you can allow him to do things safely as well as to respect things that can dangerous without caution, it would be wise to foster his independence instead of hinder it.
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Get him his own knifes for kids, and have him work on the board next to you. Give him things that are easier to cut and let him go at it. He’ll be developing skills for the future that he’ll need!
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- You’re doing amazing! 2. Some kids are more independent than others and get more frustrated when we don’t let them do things (even if it’s for their own safety). 3. If your kid is as independent as mine, buckle up because this stage is gonna last awhile and sometimes you’ll wonder if the fighting will ever end… Mine is 4 1/2 and sometimes I need others to tell me their kid is the same, so I can recognize that it’s normal and I’m not failing as a parent. And gosh I’m going to love how independent she is when she’s older…
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Buy kid safe knives for him to use 
Get him to help you cut an apple or something with a plastic knife, then tell him it’s your turn to cut whatever it is you were cutting with the sharp knife, tell him the sharp knife is mummies knife and the blunt knife is his. In a lot of things you can use “taking turns” to help, like if you are making coffee with hot water, put milk in a little jug that he can pour and then say its “your turn now” and you pour the hot water. Use simple words like “don’t touch” or “hot water, owie” use gestures as well. In the things that you do, involve him, like when you bake a cake, let him stir the batter, and open the oven door. Just little things that dont seem that big will give him a sense of independence especially if you are saying its ok. Again, when talking to him, use simple phrases, gestures and even pictures to help him understand what you are saying, word association will help you a lot.
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Get a knife for him to use. Try to let him learn and be safe at the same time.
It’s great hes so independent, try not to smoother but be there for him to learn with you. He may be doing it but that doesnt mean you can just be there with him.
Confidence and learning are the key goals. Setting them up to be by themselves is the ultimate goal. … Sadly
I let my son (who is the same way) help in other ways if the activity is too dangerous. For example with the knives, give him a butter knife or a dull kitchen utensil to cut something soft or even give him an other task for preparing that meal. They also sell children’s knives as well. I’m a huge Montessori follower and believe it’s so great they want to be independent! Also sometimes when it’s obvious his help may lead to trouble I’ll praise him for something small and unexpected. For example when his diaper is too messy/ big/falling apart or him to throw away I’ll praise him for opening the trash or helping me carry it to the trash can. It seems to work and get his mind of not being able to totally independently throw it away.
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I just teach them how to use correctly. We use pairing knives for sharp knives for them only to use with assistance my 4 year old does pretty well now. We did lots of hand over hand to begin with.
If not i agree child safe knives give you peace of mind and them independence.
Let them do anything they believe they can
I always let mine use a plastic butter knife. They thought they were helping and it saved a tantrum. 
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My son is the exact same… got to have him choose other options… like here use this knife aka butter knife… it does not always work… sometimes I just have to let him know it can give him an owie and I have to just listen to the tantrum, because he will not want nothing else but what he wants, he is very persistent and wants to help with everything!! I feel ya!
My daughter is two and i usually stand behind her and we both hold the item abd it makes her feel like shes actually doing it but i have control of it. My little one is independent as well loves helping with everything. I always tell her u cant use that unless mommy helps u and she always says ok mommy
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I know it says 4 & up but I got mine these when he was three! He can cut up fruit & veggies. Mine loves to cut his own strawberries & grapes.
Playful Chef: Safety Knife Set for Kids – 3 Knives Plastic Blades with Serrated Edges – Real Cooking Supplies for Boys & Girls – Safe for Little Hands Ages 4 & up Amazon.com: Playful Chef: Safety Knife Set for Kids – 3 Knives Plastic Blades with Serrated Edges – Safe for Little Hands, Ages 5 & up - Dishwasher Safe : Toys & Games
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Check pampered chef a women awhile ago told me they have knife sets for children. Mine did the same and eventually they grow out of it!
Set those boundaries now. No. Is no and moms boss!! Ya cant give in
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I’m the same. My son loves to help and is also 3. I give him a butter knife and softer food to cut. Or he likes to use the guarded pizza cutter to cut food.
He has a tantrum you spank him !
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Get him a child safe version of everything. My daughter’s favorite phrase since she was like 2yo was “all my by self.” Not a typo, lol. He wants to use a knife? Get him a toddler practice knife and let him spread butter/peanut butter. He’ll feel super independent and be safe at the same time. A week later he’ll have moved on.
Move kid-friendly drinks and snacks to low shelves. My daughter started getting her own snacks by age 3 and was helping me get EVERYTHING for her brother. She’s a mini-mama now at age 7 and I have to remind her constantly to stop trying to do my job (as much as it helps some days).
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Supply him with plastic utensils just his own, and can still think he is helping and bring useful
There is play toys that you can get to have the child help you. My daughter is the same way, I got a vaccum that converts into a smaller one so she can help me she loves to vacuum and help cook. Maybe try amazon for plastic knives and give him things that he can cut with them (bananas, avocados etc.)
Following, mine likes to take the toilet apart.
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May not be best solution but I just let mine use a butter knife
Give him age Appropriate tasks!! Setting table, folding wash clothes, wipe the table off, a child size broom to Sweep with, simple tasks that He Can Learn & do!!! Do NOT Wait for him to ask, Teach him & give him a task. Much praise for him is wonderful!!
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My one year old is the same lol
I think it’s Munchkin that has a 3pk silverware set. When our guy was 3 (he’s a little over 4 now), he was the same. I let him cut cucumbers, cheese, spread PB with the knife.
The key to getting him to understand is talking to him in a calm voice so he knows I am ok with him helping. I’ve learned that if I can get him to talk with me about what he’s trying to accomplish that helps shorten tantrums (which are more frequent now than before).
My almost 4 yr old helps me alll the time with knives while cooking and has since she was 2 (all three of my kids have)
Just teach him he’s only allowed to use it with you (as in your hand on his and guiding it) and if he tried to do it without you that he wont be allowed to help anymore.
Better to just teach them early on how to safely use knives.
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For things totally dangerous just tell him no. For other things modify it’s good he wants to learn. For instance getting him a hand held vacuum, a butter knife, safety scissors. Let him help with certain actives he can do and plan ahead he will enjoy being the helper
So at walmart I saw a toddler fork spoon and knife set. Maybe grt him one and be firm and tell him that he can only use “his”
Give him kiddy choppers (knives) and let him chop up things himself with that. That’s how they teach kids in preschool to cut up things.
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Kids understand pain. They had a scrape or a cute before. It’s what kids do they get hurt. So even tho it seems hard to explain things just try every time. Explain that a knife will cut his skin and it will bleed and sting very bad. Then try giving an safe alternative. Or say “how about you watch me now and when you get bigger you can do it all by yourself” it gives them a goal. If it’s something that can pose a risk to them explain why you want to help him. They catch on and understand more than we think. Explain how it can hurt him. What about it is dangerous. Then ask him simple questions to see if he understood.
Give him his own set. Playdoh, toy knife, and an old pizza pan or a dollar store pan works great while you cook, he can cook his own. Cardboard box with some plastic film over a cut out makes a good oven. Just set him up somewhere he can watch you and both of you can work and talk.
I’m the mean mom, I just yell no it’s dangerous go play with your toys. Something’s I just rather just do alone like cooking
I used to let my girls make their salad every night. I washed the lettuce, carrots, cucumber, etc and put them in a colander. They would have their own little cutting board and butter knife. They cut their own veggies and put them into their own little bowls.
I use to give my son a butter knife and I would chop it up better after he would mine use to be like that as well.
Kids play kitchen set to do it with you or a butter knife. Say you can use this knife to help me.
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3yos want to do everything themselves. Its a good thing even though its frustrating. You have to fake him out. While you’re cutting veggies for dinner with the sharp knife give him a plastic knife & playdough or bananas. Melissa & Doug makes food sets that are velcro. You can buy him 1 of those, keep the food in a basket in the fridge & pull it out when he wants to help. After he “cuts” his veggies have him put them in a pot & pretend to cook them. Or he can cut steamed veggies with a plastic knife. The key is making him feel like he’s helping.
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Don’t stop him. Give him a butter knife, let him help
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I have a 4yo who wants to do everything himself. I’ll give him other tasks while I’m cooking or help him with what he originally wanted. He helped me make eggs one morning, and because I forgot to childproof the fridge the next day, he got eggs out and tried to do it himself, all before he came and got me. Needless to say, I woke up to a huge mess.
If you are going to let your child help, just make sure you lock your cabinets, fridge or hide sharp knives so they don’t do it without your supervision. Lessened learned the hard way.
“Only a parent can use a knife”.
I used to give my toddler a butter knife and a slice of bread to cut. He made croutons by just tearing the bread when the butter spreader didn’t cut.
Tovla Jr. Knives for Kids 3-Piece Nylon Kitchen Baking Knife Set: Children’s Cooking Knives in 3 Sizes & Colors/Firm Grip, Serrated Edges, BPA-Free Kids’ Knives (colors vary for each size knife) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711QYPJD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_L8J.Fb2HN1QKX?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I just bought these for my 3 year old! They’re sharp enough to cut food but not his hands he loves them
You b more persists, Give him a dust cloth let him dust , or a toy vaccum, or dust buster, Keep all knifes sissors, sharps things out of sight and reach, They all want to help mom, So you will learn to watch, what he can play with, my son liked to help bake, and clean, So mom b very careful and safe, it can be good and bad you decide?
Scale it down for him. If he can’t use a sharp knife, let him use a butter knife. If he can’t climb up and get a cup keep one on the counter for him. Don’t spend too much time telling him he can’t do stuff. You want him to grow up knowing what he can do and that he can do anything. I have a rule in my house that they can ask for help but if they say I can’t I make them because I never tell them to do anything that they can’t do.
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