Need advice...my 3 year old does NOT

stand up for herself at all. It doesn't matter if the other child is older, younger, bigger, smaller, boy, girl she just lets them take everything from her, push her off things, etc. It breaks my heart.

We were at a My Gym class today for 18 - 24 months (my DS' age) and she was with us. And these little youngsters were totallly pushing her around. What can I do to help her stand up for herself. I try to encourage her to use words (I had that first, I'm playing with it, etc.) but she just cries.

Does anyone else have a DC that does this? I feel like most DC I know her age are so confident and go for what they want.

Re: Need advice...my 3 year old does NOT

Both of my kids will stand up to each other when playing, but will let other kids walk all over them. And if they are playing with more than one other kid forget about it, they are complete pushovers. And at playdates at 3 years old both my kids as well as the other kids were just as happy to play alone in the same room. It wasn't until dd got into pre-k that I saw a real difference in her playing more with other kids as well as trying to stand up for herself more.

Re: Need advice...my 3 year old does NOT

My DS is so non-aggressive...I posted about this awhile ago actually.

Now that he has been in nursery school since September I do notice if another kid takes his toy, occasionally he will say, no mine or I was playing with that.

I always encourage him to share but I also dont want other kids to walk all over him. That being said, I think it is easier to teach them to stand up for themselves over time as opposed to teaching them to not be a bully.

Re: Need advice...my 3 year old does NOT

DD has been in daycare PT since she was a 4 months old. So she's been around more assertive children. She's just so intimidating by them.

Re: Need advice...my 3 year old does NOT

Posted by CathyB

Both of my kids will stand up to each other when playing, but will let other kids walk all over them. And if they are playing with more than one other kid forget about it, they are complete pushovers. And at playdates at 3 years old both my kids as well as the other kids were just as happy to play alone in the same room. It wasn't until dd got into pre-k that I saw a real difference in her playing more with other kids as well as trying to stand up for herself more.

Re: Need advice...my 3 year old does NOT

Maybe she just has this admirable quality to let things roll off of her back.
If the item is important enough to her, then I bet you she would stand up for herself.
I know that we as parents feel the need to protect our cubs, but if she's not bothered by it and isn't getting hurt physically, that's awesome.
I wish I could let things roll off my back. LOL!!!