Why are relatives so intent on feeding my child when I provide all his food?

I am a bit but not a complete control freak when it comes to my 1year old son’s feeding and sleeping. We struggled huge with sleep so I want to protect the progress he has made. With food, he feeds himself and is getting great with utensils which I LOVE because I can sit with him and enjoy a meal - without hovering and cajoling him to eat another bite or putting every morsel in his mouth myself.I also make a big effort to have balanced meals for him, exposure to lots of different colors and textures and flavors, and it’s paid off great.However, relatives are always INTENT on hand feeding him (putting food into his mouth) or giving him random stuff (crackers, bread, cookies that are just laying around), and holding him while he eats instead of seating him in his chair. I always ensure he has meals ready, follows his meal and snack schedule, and that he sits in his chair so he can feed himself. But whenever my back is turned they are intent on getting him to eat random stuff and feeding them from their hands.I’ve explained a million times why I would like to avoid this (keep a good appetite for meals, show him we trust he can feed himself). But whenever I walk in unexpectedly and see them doing it, I feel undermined and annoyed. He has started refusing to open his mouth if someone tries to hand feed him which made me very happy!I’m home with him and this is only when visiting with relatives. Also, if relatives cook I always try to incorporate what they cook into his meal - I am not snubbing their food or cooking at all. But it’s driving me crazy. There is a safety concern (not safe to place food into a child’s mouth with your hand or fingers) and the concern that he’s getting conflicting messages about mealtime. I need to maintain his great eating habits and manners because it keeps an amazing rhythm to our day and let’s ME eat (also I’m 4 months pregnant). Anyone deal with this? I feel like I have to be bitchier and bitchier because it’s not getting respected. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2zKaiwB