How to Handle DS Hugging Kids on the Playground

MamatoJackson

I'm not sure what my response should be.  He is really into hugging right now and just learned the word "hug."  Today he fell for a 4-year old girl and wolud walk up and hug her and just hold the hug for, like, a full minute.  I let him because the father of the child was saying how cute it was and the little girl was happy.

But... if this starts happening more regularly, what should I do?

My concern isn't the hugging - He's 18 months and he is expressing affection which is way better, in my book, than a million other things he COULD be doing but I know that we live in an age where we have to be careful about this kind of thing. 

EDIT:My other concern is that although he's only 18 months, he's very big for his age (35 1/2") so it's not always apparent that he's a young toddler unless I tell the parents, "He's only 18 months." (which I often do)  

mrsolsen2000

Unless he is hurting the child by squeezing too hard I wouldn't worry. Other parents may get concerned however, so maybe have a talk about how hugs are for people we know. Like mommy, daddy, etc.

One time at tumbletime there was a kid who kept following DD around trying to kiss and hug her. The only problem was it kept getting in the way of what DD was playing with so she got mad and tried to bite him lol! Rather have the hugging than biting lol!

ktsnshn

DS went through a hugging phase a few months ago. If the child/parent were ok with the hugging we didn't really do anything. If it seemed like a problem we made him stop and redirected him. Like any other phase it passed pretty quickly and now he is more appropriate with the hugs.

MrsBalletStar05

In that particular situation, I think everything was fine.  You DO however have to work on when the recipient of the hug isn't as accepting.  DS#1 is a hugger, but totally wasn't understanding when other people did not want to be hugged.  He is just really friendly and outgoing when most kids are more shy and don't want a stranger giving them hugs, lol. 

MainelyFoolish

Don't worry about it unless he appears to be harming the other child or the other kid is too little to "fight back." I figure this is how kids learn to interact and defend their personal space.

The only time I've ever intervened on behalf of my DD was one time at the park when she was 2 and another kid who looked to be about 5 kept picking up DD and walking away with her (and the other kid's parents were nowhere to be seen).

axr8111

nothing at all. My son is in the kissing phase and that on the other hand is concerning since I don't want him catching everyone's sicknesses but hugging...no big deal. Just watch for the signs from the parent and the child that he's hugging to see if it's something they are concerned about, but most likely they will think it's cute. If you sense otherwise....then politely pull him away and just smile.  

MamatoJackson

Perfect... thanks for the response, ladies!

Mainely - That is crazy!! 

mabma80

I have that problem too. DS2 is 3 and is VERY social!  He likes to go up to strangers, give them a hug, and follows them around. Drives me crazy.  He has no problem just going up to someone and I have no idea how to stop him from doing it. I'm hoping he grows out of it.

laney75

I probably wouldn't do anything, unless he is hugging on a much smaller child and possibly hurting him/her.  Let kids work it out.  If he's hugging an older kid, if they don't like it, they'll definitely let him know.  It's a good learning experience for him.  And very cute too.