DS is 19 months, and is quite used to being around other people, but it seems like lately, when I am there too, he is becoming aggressive with other children and I keep on having to get down with him to make peace.
I'm 6 mos preg, and since getting preg we've not been out and about quite so much, to groups and activities - but I do still make a big effort to go a few times a week to meet friends with little ones, or larger groups. DS also goes to nursery for 2 days per week (about 10-3pm), although I'm a sahm, as I found I wasn't getting any breaks, even weekends, as DH works so much.
He often grabs other children's clothes - often much bigger girls and boys - who sometimes get pissed off and shove him, and sometimes cry. He will also hit children in the face (obviously, this is not hard, but again, often makes them cry). Once he has done this, he sometimes tries to say sorry and give the child a hug. But understandably, most children don't want to hug him after that.
Am I making a mistake of thinking I can take him somewhere and let him play somewhere very near me in an area with books/toys whilst I have a chinwag with a friend. Should I be down there on the floor with him the whole time?
I have noticed that when he hits/grabs, I go rushing over and explain to him not to do it/tell him off. So he's getting my full attention at that point. But I can't really do otherwise, because the other mums of course don't want him upsetting their DCs.
I know its pretty normal toddler behaviour, and I've heard the advice is to just remove him from the situation, not waste breath on explaining about making people "sad", apologising etc....... But how does that work in practice????