6 year old using the word "babe".

[anaiapl]

My 6 year old DS attends a youth club for primary school children for 1.5 hours on a week night.

The leader has just called me to say he wants to speak about some "concerning" behaviours displayed by DS. He says he acts like a child three years older than his age, and that it is constant.

He says he is tactile (cuddly, wants to hold hands etc.).

He referred to one of the leaders as "babe".

DS is a very, tactile child and love to be close with people. We have a very open dialogue about consent and asking people before hugs etc., but it seems this needs some more work.

He said that "babe" is inappropriate for a child his age. DS will be repeating this as I often refer to him as this, as does his grandmother.

The call really caught me off guard, the way he was speaking was as if something serious was going on DS and that it may be social services worthy.

Do you agree?

Whoa. Top marks for intuition, @mumofoneAlonebutokay

It's the 'talking about knives and guns' for me

Im here like sureeee

well done, good deducing, most impressive !

I honestly didn't even consider that.

There's an episode of Bluey where Bluey and bingo call everyone babe my 5 and 7 year olds thought it was hilarious. Youth club sound weird, no need to phone just explain to the child not to use that term of phrase if they don't like it.

I'm sorry op, I hope I'm wrong as this stuff is never nice 🥺 but that is what it sounds like

For what its worth, I'd be careful how you handle racism, because if you come right out and accuse them, theyll start playing the victim

if you're on good terms with your ex, and don't want to pull ds out, I'd involve him xx

Edit, typos

But the vast majority of children do know instinctively. They know that a play leader or teacher is not the same as their mum or dad. They can tell from the way people around them talk about the school/clubs that it is not the same informal environment as home. This really did not used to have to be spelled out to children, certainly not beyond a couple of weeks of Reception year.

Not surprising hearing that a forces community is racist tbh. Sorry this is your experience.

Speak to his teacher OP, they'll know him better and be better at identifying problems.

It does sound all a bit weird, and absolutely horrific if it's racially motivated.

I was thinking Bluey too.