To want to wrench toddlers away from overprotective mothers and set them free?

[lindsaygii]

You know the ones. You are at a group, drop-in or whatever. The only people there are mums and kids. Lots of kids are running about, having fun. They go up to other mums and kids to say hello. Their mother runs over and snatches them away. You aren't sure - are you a paedo or is the child a mini-psycho?

Or - the mum sitting next to you keeps a tight hold of her toddler. Whenever it tries to escape and join in the fun she pulls it back, berating it for 'having ants in its pants'

IF I'M AT A PLAYGROUP I DON'T MIND CHILDREN COMING UP TO ME!!. It's the possessive/ protective mums that do my nut in...

My ds went through a pushing stage - even pushed his best buddy into the flower pot - so for a while I wouldn't let him unsupervised near smaller children, for their own sake. You can't judge people without knowing anything about their reasons! Well, can, obviously, but perhaps shouldn't.

My freind's little girl is quite timid. When we go to play group, the little girl sits on a stool while the mum sits behind her with her arms stretched around her so that no one can bump into her. She's only 15mo and PFB so I haven't said anything

My DD has reigns for when we are out and about. Otherwise we might lose her. She's the opposite of timid.

ah! I see...all the same, yes I would still keep a close eye...I know kids will be kids..but with my child only being a toddler I've experienced even with his cousins who are 2 years older who think its okay to punch my son...they are just used to rough playing with their brothers. I don't like to chat so much when my son is in a group...although the other kids mothers do and don't mind what their child does.

When my son plays with his cousins who are a year and two years older, my son would defend himself and then continue playing. Their mother doesn't mind that my son hit her children but I have to interject. Discipline and good manners do not end even outside our home. I make sure to help my son differentiate between socially acceptable behaviors. I am very patient with him and understanding with him...I'm not looking for an overnight change, I'm just being consistent.

He is my child and I am responsible for his actions too.

MisSalToeKisses> I definitely agree! When my son was younger, a mother didn't want me to keep picking my son up and directing him away from her child. What she didn't know was that at the time, my son liked hitting people with things in his hand.