I’m usually very open minded about all sorts of parenting, but I’ve recently become aware of something I can’t get off my mind.
A distant relative has a toddler (20 months). We’ve been chatting more during lockdown. It has emerged that the toddler has never met any other children. Ever. The parents are young (early 20s) doing their best for an unplanned baby. The relative is a SAHM. I just can’t help but think this isn’t good for the toddler? He also doesn’t wave or point and doesn’t have any words apart from “mama”. Walks and runs well but otherwise seems not that engaged with the world.
I don’t want to barge in and be unhelpful as we’ve been fairly distant apart from recently and I’ve not met the child; this is from the relative’s account of things and a few videos. WIBU to very gently suggest they speak to someone to check development is on track, this age being an important one? The play with other children is a bit separate, I suppose, and I don’t know how important that is really. I know baby classes are largely for the parents, but almost 2 feels like playing with others would now benefit the toddler himself. If I do say something, should I address the two things or just the milestones? Basically I can’t work out if this is just different to what I’m used to or genuinely not great.
Grateful for views and thoughts as ever.