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UNDER PROTECTIVE?
Hi girls, i know i dont post very often more but this is really bugging me.
I have a friend with a lo just a few months younger than Harri and they are both about the same level development wise and are both great kids, they are 2. the last few times ive been with my friend and her lo at the park ive noticed that she follows her lo around everywere, doesnt let her do anything with even the slightest risk to it, and freaks when she goes even a few steps out of reach she freaks were as im happy to let harri get on with it aslong as i can see what hes doing so i can intervene if i need to. I dont feel the need to follow him around the park, i know what he can handle and to be honest hes a very confident and capable little boy.
Now am i being under protective? should i be by his side constantly ready to catch him up and cuddle him if at every fall or trip? should i be more like my friend and protect him from everything 'just incase'? i
this is really bugging me so any opinions would be great
xxxx
I have a friend with a lo just a few months younger than Harri and they are both about the same level development wise and are both great kids, they are 2. the last few times ive been with my friend and her lo at the park ive noticed that she follows her lo around everywere, doesnt let her do anything with even the slightest risk to it, and freaks when she goes even a few steps out of reach she freaks were as im happy to let harri get on with it aslong as i can see what hes doing so i can intervene if i need to. I dont feel the need to follow him around the park, i know what he can handle and to be honest hes a very confident and capable little boy.
Now am i being under protective? should i be by his side constantly ready to catch him up and cuddle him if at every fall or trip? should i be more like my friend and protect him from everything 'just incase'? i
this is really bugging me so any opinions would be great
xxxx
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Replies
He goes on the big slides and whatever else without a problem, and I live in hope htat one day he'll learn from doing something stupid and not do it again... not convinced its going to happen though lol.
If he falls over and we know he's not really hurt we just encourage him to get up and dust off and get on with playing - obviously if he's really hurt we do comfort him but I don't want to be mollycoddling him with every little bump or he'll turn into a wet and whinging little horror!!
On the other hand there was this daredevil dad who was sending his 8 month old head first down the slide, which is a rather extreme the other way I think!
With everything it's about striking the right balance between giving them the opportunity to learn and explore, but being there for them when they need you.
It sounds as if you have the right attitude!
Cole does dumb things like jumps off the top of his slide (only a toddler one) whimpers cause he's hurt himself jumping off and then goes and does it again so he gets no sympathy ... he can always stop doing it! I do stand right behind him when he climbs up the ladder to the big slide but sometimes he needs an extra shove up the backside... still at least if he falls at the playground its that soft concrete stuff - unlike friday night when he toppled backwards onto our flags and cracked his head poor boy.
Defiantely a bit extreme putting an 8 month old head first down the slide..we didn't teach cole that one at all... he does enough daft things he doens't need to be taught more.. he did manage to figure it out for himself though sigh!!
In soft play areas, I let him do his own thing, because it's less dangerous. I still go in with him though. I think it's a personal thing dependent on the child, I wouldnt say I'm overprotective I'd probably be different if my lo was x
If we're at the park with friends though she happily runs off and plays with them. And thats fine, i will sit back! Most things she can climb up independently but I do get nervous when she's climbing up high things as she can be so clumsy and I'd much rather be within "catching" distance than have her crack her nut. I try to encourage her to try everything, even the bigger climbing frames and more difficult things, and I encourage her to do it on her own but sometimes she needs an extra shove!
With softplays... I'd be more than happy for her to run off and do her own thing, as it's all cushioned really, much less for her to get hurt on... but I tend to go in with her purely just for fun! If she makes friends whilst in the softplay (she often latches onto older girls who take a shine to her) then I will back off and leave her to it though
Sounds like you're giving lo the confidence to do things on his own, but still there if he needs you.
xxx
We always know where he is and what he's doing though. We have to keep an eye on him as he is one of those very adventurous toddlers with no sense of danger!