To wish people wouldn't disturb my quietly-playing toddler?

[jubilationbellsringing]

Yes, I'm BU. I know, I know, they mean well

But. Dc is 3 and often engages in play. It's interesting to watch as she clearly has an elaborate fantasy world and she 'makes' toys for herself.

She was doing it today after swimming - just sitting next to a locker chatting to her 'friend' and various women were commenting on it to her - 'who are you talking to? Ah, who is that? What are you doing?'

I know they just mean to be nice but she gets self conscious and then stops which is a shame!

Wow, that escalated fast. Was just going to say I agree with those who say it's generally good for children to learn to interact with adults. I've always encouraged mine to talk to strangers in a safe environment.

I think since your child is struggling with normal interactions op you need to model calm and like a pp has said join the conversation yourself and maybe try and scaffold a way in for her (something she particularly likes to talk about?) or just let her listen to you speak and see that it's ok.
It's really not the end of the world if her play is occasionally interrupted. It sounds as though she has a great imagination whereas social skills might need a bit of practice. It's unreasonable to expect people won't ever chat to you. Playing an imaginary game is the kind of thing that some children would appreciate people joining in with so not really the same as chatting to someone reading a book which they are highly likely to want to do undisturbed.
If adults are being very pushy and upsetting your dd then clearly they don't have great social skills themselves and you might need to move your dd away from them. Most adults generally have the social skills to back off if their input isn't appreciated though ime.

To be fair, you are in a public place and people will interract with children and adults alike, whether they like it or not. That is life. Your dd will find it easier to deal with in time with your help

Pengggwn Fri 21-Jul-17 11:07:29

lost innocence and stifling an incredibly rich inner world

Lost innocence? What? Stifling? What is stifled?

Some people desperately need to get a grip.

...............

I haven't had time to look back at the thread for a few days, but just saw this addressed to me!

Pengggwn I think you need to get some insight, a do not need a "grip" thank you very much - how desperately unpleasant and thick that comment of yours is!

Of course realising that your friends think you are weird for acting out fantasy play in public is a loss of innocence. You clearly have an incredibly narrow mind if you can't understand that!

Bonkers thread. solution, lock your child up or help her learn how to interact with the outside world