What do you do when another kid snatches something from yours?

[PlumpShady]

Just wondering others thoughts on this, it's a tale as old as time I'm sure!

I take my DD (2 years 3 months) to a playgroup each week and I never know how to act when another child snatches a toy from her.

I actually find it easier when she is the snatcher, because I can firmly tell her not snatch, return the toy and distract her with something else. But I feel like I can't do this with someone else's child. If the other parent is there, it's usually fine but half the time nobody seems to be watching their kids to address it.

It pains me when someone is wrestling something off her that she's happily playing with and she looks to me to help her and I'm not sure I do the right thing! I've asked children before to wait their turn and hand it back to DD but they don't and I obviously don't want to snatch it back and model the very behaviour I'm trying to stamp out

So what's the appropriate way to deal here??

I used to just say ‘hello! I’m just going to take that back for a few minutes (and then take it back) while Lucy finishes playing with it, and then it’ll be your turn’

And if the kid starts wailing and the parent comes over just saying we’re just finishing playing with this and then your little one can have it.

It’s good for you to stand up fairly for her, because it teaches her to stand up fairly for herself

It’s very rare you get an oik parent who complains but if you do just adopt a breezy blue peter type persona and ignore

I sort of do a little “ooop, we don’t snatch do we, you can have this toy when Bob is finished, we have to take it in turns” then sort of block until they’re done with the toy or the other kid has left. 9/10 the other kid just gives up, never had anyone say anything other than apologising for the snatching incident.

Some kids are strong and fast though so doesn’t always work, just have to explain sometimes people aren’t very nice and don’t take it in turns and share and that’s not fair, but look over there and direct to something else.

I just used to say "oh no its not your turn now sweetheart, you can't snatch it. You'll have a go in a minute" and I'd take it back off them and give it back to my child.

Thanks all, just wondering what you do when said child doesn't let go or listen to you?!

I used to say “oh, she’s just playing with that but when she’s finished, you can have it” & take it back off them!

Snatch it off them🤣

I use my clear size/strength/dexterity advantage and overpower them 😂

Bless you OP, you sound lovely but come on... they're toddlers, not MMA fighters!

They always did.

I think one time I had to do a bit of a hard stare to one who was a bit more lairy, but all the others just gave it back to me.