Re: How do we feel about hugging?

My daughter is a hugger...she will go up to anyone - young, old, big, tall - and give them a hug. I don't hover, but I stand near by and read the parents faces. If the parent looks uncomfortable, I will gently tear Charlie away. I think it's adorable...but I am mindful of uneasy children & parents. Charlie, at 14m, not so much LOL

Re: How do we feel about hugging?

Posted by headoverheels

i'm not a germophobe, but i'll admit, that makes me uncomfortable. i notice it happening more now when we are out - older, mobile kids come up to DS and want to touch and hug him. i am sorry, but i don't like it. i don't know their families, or who in their house is sick, etc.

yes, of course they are kids, and they mean well, but i just don't like it. sorry

Re: How do we feel about hugging?

Posted by Lillykat

Posted by itsbabytime

When it's a stranger - I'll admit, it's happened with DS a few times and I'm not crazy about it. I do think its cute and sweet when friends do it but, for a number of reasons I'm not crazy about it when we are out and a child we don't know randomly starts trying to hug or kiss DS - but it's less of an issue now that he is older b/c he can get away

LOL well you probably won't want to send him out with my DD b.c she is everyones friend and hugs all the children and encourages them to play with her.

I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand - I love the fact that she is outgoing and wants to be friends with all the other kids older and younger, BUT I am not crazy about the fact that I don't know who she is hugging and what they might be sick with. I can tell you some parents don't like it and even other parents thought it was okay that my child was hit or shoved b.c she hugged another child and was told the hitting or shoving was acceptable b.c she was hugging them and they didn't want to be hugged. I have also been told by other parents that I need to have her stop hugging other children b.c it is very inappropriate esp b.c their child doesn't like to be touched at all.

I have tried to tell DD that she shouldn't hug strangers only family and friends - but she is only 2 and when we have these conversations she then gets very self conscious and clings to me - so I worry that if I push it - it will have a negative effect on her. For now I try to remind her but I'm always there to intervene if it looks as if the other child doesn't want to be hugged.

Message edited 8/30/2009 12:06:27 PM.

Re: How do we feel about hugging?

Posted by itsbabytime



I didn't mean that if he is playing with another child and they hug him - that is different. I'm talking about a random child walking up to him. Mostly, I don't like it b/c he doesn't like it. Like, a few months ago we were standing in the back at church and this little girl walked right up to him, and kept trying to hug him and touch his hair - he kept trying to get a way from her and her mom just stood there and she was being very aggressive when it was very obvious that DS (who at the time was about 16 months) was not happy about it (and she was older and bigger than him as well). This, I don't like. And, I can understand why DS wouldn't like it - I personally wouldn't want a stranger walking up to me and trying to hug me - I don't think most people would. I think DS is aware of who he knows and who he doesn't and the social situation and is taken aback when I kid just gets in his face out o no where and tries to hug him. IMO it is a totally different situation if they are playing together.

I also agree with the other poster - some kids are sick and just dirty looking and, not to be mean but, when DS was younger especially I really didn't want their hands all over him

So does this mean no playdates in their future