How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I am MORE and I think that it may be causing more harm than good as I see other kids slightly more advanced than he is. I recently took DS to a playgroup at the park where the moms didn't mind that their kids sippy cups straws touched the black mat or the park equipment & let them continue drinking without wiping it down. Where one 2 year old was clmbing metal bars & when he got to the top called for mom & I told his mother that I thought her son needed help getting down & she told me no, he's fine & the kid did get down on his own! I am so paranoid, I follow him around at the park with my arms out. It's hard for me but I know I need to let him get hurt & it's ok if he drops a cookie on the pavement & eats it.

Message edited 7/19/2011 10:59:47 AM.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

In between. There are things like dirt that I don't let bother me - that's what they make baby wipes for and the 5 second rule

However, anything that could potentially be dangerous, like monkey bars or stairs, I'm an admitted hoverer. DS is definitely not as advanced in climbing as other kids his age but he is also a pretty cautious kid to begin with so I'm not sure if it's me, or his reluctance to try.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I thnk I am less overprotective.
I do watch her like a hawk- more so than my DH, but I also don't worry if her paci hits the ground, if her hands are dirty, etc.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I'm a paranoid freak...ill admit, I need help.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I'm definitely less. But if it's your first and he's only a year old...it's totally OK to be more! You guys are both learning together!

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I think less but for the most part we are all pretty laid back.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

Less

Kids will get dirty, sick and hurt. It is just part of growing up

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I'm definitely less....not so worried about dirt, sharing cups (my kids), climbing, holding hands, etc. but I find that initially I was w/ 1st DD.

Now w/ #2 I'm definitely more laid back.

I do remember when I was pregnant going to visit my closest friend in Texas & being so alarmed at how laid back she was w/ her 2 year old. He was outside barefoot in the grass; climbing the fence; on the tire swing & would pee on the grass (sure they had acres & acres of property) but I remember thinking, I'll never be like that.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

Depends. My first-time mommy friends tend to be a *little more* protective. With each kid I've gotten more relaxed. I laugh at the stuff I used to freak out over with my first.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I am extremely laid back. Extremely.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I am very laid back. I do tend to hover at the playground but only because DS is a daredevil and I need to "spot" him. I gave up on the germ phobia long ago. Germs are good...keeps his immune system working. Considering he is rarely sick it must be working. He plays in dirt...he's been known to eat the dirt...he was/is a big mouther so a lot of things wind up in there.

I obsessed about keeping DS away from the littler box until one day he shoved a fistful of litter in his mouth well know what? He never did it again....yeah...I'm laid back.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

More. I dont care what others do. I am more protective and it works for me. I could never just say "whatever" when it comes to something that could harm my DC.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I hover when he's at the playground because he's only been a few times and doesn't "get" that he's only 16 months and can't do everything the big kids are doing, lol.

But things like, if he takes a tumble, I let him get up on his own... my mom and even strangers are like "OH NO! Is he ok" and try to help him up, lol. I feel like a bad mom, but unless he's crying, he's fine to get up on his own!

If something falls on the floor, I still wipe with a baby wipe.

I'd say I'm in between. Not overly protective, but not super laid back either. It also depends on what it is.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

thanks to being without kids for a bit with our group of friends - i had wonderful examples of what not to do and what to do.

we had friend a - if her child would fall, she'd cause a ROYAL RUCKOUS and freak out - thus freaking her child out and causing a scene for a simple fall on the grass.

we had friend b - if her child fell she'd giggle and go, 'you went boom boom - you okay?' and this child is STILL one of the most amazing, laid back kids, etc.

we try really hard not to react if things happen - as not to scare Emma. she fell on a playground yesterday (but it was that soft, bouncy ground) and neither of us reacted. She got up, i clapped for her and she came over for a kiss and went back to playing...

i always say we had the best parent training, parents A & B.

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

i'm definitely less. In fact, DH's whole side thinks i'm an unfit mother because of the things I allow DS to do (like not disinfect his paci every time it falls, let people hold him when he was a newborn and not have them disinfect their hands, let the cat near him, you know, all the EVIl things i do! )

i am strict about certain things but don't really panic everytime he hits his head on the crib railing. he's a baby and learning balance and he's a boy (and i mean a very stereotypical boy!) so he's bound to get a few bumps and bruises. as long as he's fine i don't stress.

dh on the other hand.....

Re: How would you rate yourself? Are you more or less overprotective than your friends?

I'm paranoid but not as much as I thought I would be.

I don't go washing/wiping down everything he drops...to an extent of course. If he drops it on the floor of a public bathroom or any place skeevy like that - I will sterlize the crapp out of the object before giving it back.

He is crawling and cruising right now, I watch from a safe distance if we're inside. Outside I'm a bit more cautious...I have this fear of him falling backwards and slamming his head onto the floor.

I trust him to eat puffs and other solid pieces of foods without me sitting right in front of him ready to scoop out pieces that are too big.

I didn't follow the whole 3 day rule when starting solids. I did it for the first week and than pretty much gave whatever. He was fine.

I don't call the Dr. for every little symptom he has - I use my judgment, i.e. low grade fever - possibly teething or reaction to a shot...give some baby aspirn and monitor for the next couple of hours. If things don't get better - I call to make sure I am doing the right thing.

I am protective of him, but at the same time I know I need to give him some space to learn and let his curiosity run. I let the strings loose to an extent

Message edited 7/19/2011 12:43:57 PM.