Do you ever worry...

MyLuvBugs wrote: about how your kids react in social situations? I'm really starting to worry about Lorelei, and DH just says "she still young, she'll be fine" but I really don't know.

She's VERY lovey dovey and has NO fear of strangers. She runs up to people in the mall and gives them hugs. Relatives that she's never met before, she's gone up and given a hug and a kiss too. And when she interacts with other kids at the playground, it's like she doesn't know how to "play" just how to run around and squeal really loud with a big ole smile on her face. I know she's having fun, but she doesn't seem to know how to interact. Does that make any sense?

I'm so glad that she's a lovey dovey kid, and that she is happy most of the time, but still......

Am I just freaking about nothing? Any advice?

mom21kid2dogs replied: She'll probably be the most popular kid in her class!!
Seriously, kids are parallel players until 2.5 to 3. Although exposing them to kids is great, most don't have any "real" interest in real interaction till at least two and most not much til three.
Olivia has always been a "lover". She hugs her gymnastic teachers, acrobatics teachers, her library ladies, the neighbors, the priest at church, new friends at the playground or pool~anyone who shows her positive attention. I see it as a very positive trait. I was much more reserved and shy by her age and I am so glad she is affectionate & outgoing. At Loreli's age, Olivia was never in a situation where I (or her daddy) weren't right there with her so her affectionate nature couldn't be taken advantage of. Obviously, at 5.5, we've helped her frame affection better without impeding her loving nature.
I doubt you have much to worry about other than her charming the socks off everyone.

luvmykids replied: Mine are all 3 soooo outgoing and friendly, I've worried about it too. It's about time to start curbing it, but so far I've enjoyed watching their carefree love of everyone!

holley79 replied: My little sister was the same way as a toddler/ child. There was nothing my mom could do about it but just keep a VERY close eye on her.

C&K*s Mommie replied: As mentioned, I would keep a close eye on her, but allow her to expound on that extra lovey dovey side of herself. She may leave it behind as she grows older, or she may continue to be friendly as time goes on. I think, she will eventually learn that there are boundaries as she matures, until then I would just let her be. Again, keeping an eye on her. When it comes to talk about what is appropiate and inappropiate conduct with unknown & known people alike, and such (referring to kidnappers, abuse, etc, "talks") you may have a little more work ahead of you. Not totally sure though.

Anyhow, I would not impede on her socialbility. If I am understanding what you are saying, then I say let her be.

MyLuvBugs replied: I think I've been misunderstood a little. I love the fact that she's a little love bucket, and I don't want to change that, but to teach her appropriateness. And that will come with time, but right now just scares me that she'll just go off with anyone. KWIM?

The thing that truly worries me is how she just doesn't know how to interact with others well. And maybe it is her age, I don't know. I should video tape it and show you. She lets other kids push her and bite her and yell at her and drag her around, and she just stands there and smiles and/or walks away. And when other kids run around playing, she'll run around but never tries to play with them. She just squeals like a siren and laughs at them.

You're probably right and I'm just overracting. Probably my hormones. I guess you just always worry that your kids will be hurt or taken advantage of b/c they're so young and niave.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: I think that most 1 year olds don't really interact. They may play beside another kid, but they aren't really playing "with" them, KWIM? It's called parallel play. Logan is 20 months now and is starting to show some interest in playing near/with other children, but mostly he does his own things. I don't think it's a sign that I am raising a loner. I think he just knows what he wants to do and doesn't need to be with the other kids yet. I am sure he and Lorelei will be playing with others in no time.

C&K*s Mommie replied:
Kelly, and Cheryl hit the nail on the head with the parrallel play comments. It sounds like that is what she is displaying. Normal behaviour for her age.

Hope I understood you this time.

MyLuvBugs replied: ok. So I'm just freaking with hormones lol Just don't tell my hubby he was right.

C&K*s Mommie replied: No, Erika you are not freaking with hormones... well maybe you are in other areas-- I think we all had hormonal rollercoasters with PG. I know I surely did.

You are not overreacting to Lorelei's behaviour. Any mom with their first child would/was probably the same way. Don't feel badly. Trust me, I was full of questions with Christian, and I still have a zillion more 'concerns' and questions over the two of them. It is NORMAL!!!!!!!! I hope what I said was not taken the wrong way in that last post. I was not trying to shun you, and make it as though you are freaking out. YOU ARE A CONCERNED MOTHER, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and likely after this PG you will still have the same or greater concerns. Like I said, it is totally normal.

Besides, what better way to learn something than to ask questions. I do not know if what we said answered your questions, but anytime you do have them as I do everyday, ask away. Everyone here is so friendly and will answer to the best of their ability. Even with my dumb questions, I feel much better about asking and learning the answers then to not ask KWIM?

MyLuvBugs replied:
You're just the sweetest Nichole, and I wish that I could give you a real big bear hug right now. Thank you.

I wasn't offended at all, and I normally have been a laid back kinda mom with Lorelei, but lately.....man alive! I protect her like a momma lion. Even when DH is disciplining her (not often, but it happens ). It strange, but I'm glad that other moms have been through it all, and like Cheryl said....she'll probably just be little miss popular. Lord help me.

ilovemybaby replied: I'm sure she is fine She sounds just like Abby. She holds her arms out for total strangers to pick her up and hug her LOL Once she is old enough to understand I'll teach her that it's not ok to go up to a total stranger or talk to a stranger. I think a lot of kids are this way at a young age. They don't know about "bad people" or that they can't trust everyone. They do trust everyone. Right now we just have to watch them all the time. If you have to grab her hand or something to stop her from running up to a stranger in a public place that's ok. I'm sure they will understand...

Abby runs around squealing too when we go out. She also goes up to other kids and just starts talking to them. She manages to scare little boys too HAHA

ilovemybaby replied:
You could look at this two ways... it's not good that she lets other kids hurt her but at the same time it's good that she doesn't hit back. When she is older she's going to be the one who can just walk away... KWIM? We all know you can't solve violence with violence right?
When she is older she will learn to not let kids do that but hopefully at the same time she will walk away or come to you or someone else instead of hitting back.