Anyone else's young DC have 'crushes' on other adults?

[wavingkitty]

My DD, who's now 4, has from the age of about 2 developed these really strong likings for women, e.g. the leader of a singing class she went to when she was 2, or her ballet teacher, or now it's a friend of mine. I don't feel jealous, but I wonder whether this is normal or whether it's because there's something missing in our relationship? Anyone else's dc have these kind of 'crushes'?

[cfc]

Aw bless her!

My little one, 2 yrs old, woke up the other morning when I went into his room and said sleepily "Gemma" which is the name of a good friend of ours! He'd obviously been dreaming about her. He loves her so much, always follows her around and 'protects' her stuff whenever we're all out as a group together!

Bitch... :-)

On the other hand, my other NCT friend's little boy is in total lurve with me, so swings and roundabouts!!

[EvilTwins]

My DTD2 (5) has a massive crush on her swimming teacher. She gets all giggly when she sees him.

I think it's pretty normal, isn't it?

[BerryPie]

My DD, also 4, is the same. Her two main crushes are my younger brothers' girlfriends, both of whom she absolutely worships and frequently refers to as her favourite people in the world. When we see them, which is only a few times a year really, she basically glues herself to them and I don't exist!

The pattern for her seems to be females without children (no competetion, I guess). She also loves her dance teacher and pre-school teachers and will undoubtedly be crazy about her reception teacher come September...

It doesn't bother me, and I feel very happy and secure about my relationship with her. I think she is just seeking out other females to learn more about what it means to be a girl, without mothering and rules getting in the way (obviously I don't think she consciously thinks that, it is just my theory!)

I wouldn't worry about it!

[EverythingsNotRosie]

I was like this as a child- I 'latched on' to female friends of my parents, teachers, aunties etc. I think it was a way of exploring different women's lives compared to my mum- they usually had no children, or children of a very different age to me and had different ways of doing things. I grew out of it! I think when I became a teenager. Nothing to worry about, I don't think.

[kittensliveupstairs]

DD had a mega crush on her first teacher. Poor Ms L, we saw her socially too which didn't help matters.
I have been the object of two boys lusts. Both when we lived in Bangkok, both under the age of three.

[BirdyBedtime]

DD definitely has a secret crush on the (gay) hairdresser where I get mine cut. She blushes and almost attempts flirting. He was totally clueless when I mentioned it to him which makes it seem even worse somehow. Poor thing (and I'm not sure I mean him or her!).

[mummytowillow]

My 4 year old is completely besotted with my colleagues boyfriend! She literally swoons when she see's him! He is a lovely bloke, and he juggles for her and she loves that!!

Completely normal I say!

[madwomanintheattic]

dd2 has been in love with her ski instructor for three years (she's 7 now).

all very normal.

[unblissfullyignorant]

My close friend's 6 year old DD is besotted with my DH - it's really funny to see and not worrying to any of us. It's just sweet to see someone else who sees him for the lovely person he is! Me and my friend have a good chuckle about it. All normal - nothing to worry about I'd say.

[wavingkitty]

Thanks so much everyone, that's all really helpful. In the past I have tried to see her crushes as a good sign - that she can be fond of other people, doesn't have to cling to me etc - but then I started worrying that maybe they were substitutes for something she wasn't getting from me. All these replies have made me feel better!