Panic - my 20 mo ds is anybody's

[acnebride]

I'm so worried, and it seems such a daft thing to worry about. My ds at 20 months is a champion hugger - fantastic. He will hug me, his nanny, his daddy, his grandparents.. but today he twice hugged a new friend that he, and I, have met once before. I'm in a panic - this just seems really inappropriate. is he desperate for affection from anybody? am I getting something seriously wrong? is this normal?

I wouldn't worry.

My dd does this at mums and toddlers. She'll stand infront of people and tug at their clothes so that they'll pick her up or she grabs their hands to take them to toys she wants to play with. I'll be sat their on my own watching her every move and get totally ignored by her!

thank you nbg for responding so fast

DS2 (22 months) has discovered and even better way for affection.

He stands there, holding onto his index finger with the other hand, holding it up and looking very pitiful, the person then says "oh have your hurt your finger" and not only gives him a hug (with my consent obviosuly) but a kiss too.......he then walks off looking very smug (and the person thinking I must be abandoning my poor children - there's nothing wrong with his finger BTW - I've checked and double checked).

oh phew, am smiling now, thanks QofQ, i'll look out for that one!

You have been reassured acnebride but so am I reading this thread. Dd, just over 2, will accost anyone in church - not necessarily people who sit near us and look familiar - and try to hold their hand, or scramble up into their lap for a "cuggle". I was starting to be concerned about this too and its good to know there are other very friendly toddlers out there!

My ds3 is like this - he's 13 months and not shy of anyone. We had a new reception friend of ds1s round to play the other night - his mum and little sister came too and he just kept going up to the mum and resting his head on her knee while hugging her leg!! It was a bit odd but at least he's positive towards new people!

Mine's only 13 months and has developed this luvvyness! I was chatting to a new neighbour and holding DS, he kept putting his arms out to her. I passed him over for a quick hug but that wasn't enough! He did it over and over. I was walking around Ikea and he wandered up to an assistant (with me holding his hand), she bent down to say hello and he flung his little fat arms around her!

I'm most put out and not really sure how to react!