Why my 4-year-old son doesn't allow his parents to embrace each other?

[Fiona2011231]

I'm puzzled by my son's behaviour lately. He is 4 years old and since this summer, whenever he saw his parents embracing/snuggling/kissing, he would say No and tries to keep us apart.

Why does he do that? And is there anything I can do?

Thank you.

Probably because at his age girls are icky? And that extends to your relationship - he wouldn't kiss a girl, why would you both want to kiss?

I wouldn't worry about it too much - just keep telling him that mummy and daddy love each other, and people who love each other cuddle. Cuddle him and cuddle your partner too! Everybody wins.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply.

However, in my case, there is another thing about my son's playing with girls. In the summer, when the nursery closed, we have sent him to a summer camp. And the teacher there once casually remarked that my son likes playing with the girls there rather than with the boys. So I suppose my son does not find the girls icky?

Thank you.

We had a phase of this. It seemed to be more about him thinking that each of us had a limited amount of love/hugs/kisses to give and he didn't want us giving any to anyone other than him. Whenever he objected we explained that love isn't like an apple, where if you share it between more people each person gets less, instead it's like the bath tap gushing out water - there is always more water and you can have as much as you like and there is still plenty more for someone else - so there being more people to love just makes there be more love, no-one gets any less loved by sharing love because the more people there are the more love there is.

Our daughter is a bit like this though a little younger - I think it is about jealousy. She tells my husband "Get off, it'm MY mummy!". We try and have a three way cuddle.
I love Iris' way of explaining things! Will need some good explanations in our house as the arrival of our twins is about to turn her world upside down

I agree with Cheery, it probably is down to jealousy. I would include him in the embrace with a cheery 'group hug' and hold him for a bit longer as something is making him feel jealous and left out/insecure. Has there been any recent changes or either of you spending less time with him?
Ds1 (who is now nearly 4) wouldn't even allow dh and I to sit together between the ages of about 2 and 3years. It would result in him stopping any activity, coming over to us very cross and sitting between us
Op is he quite possessive in any other way? Ds wouldn't allow dh or anyone really, to use my mobile phone eg, very handy when dh attempted to nosey through it he saw my sister once wearing my sandals and got very annoyed at her because I'm HIS mummy and how dare anyone take my things. It was a phase, he is better now as he understands hugs and kisses are for everyone, people can borrow my things and will return them etc though now ds2 (10months) strolls over when dh and I ever sit together like the sodding morality police my kids