I'm not used to being with a large group of pre-schoolers so I don't know whether this was 'okay' behaviour or not............

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

But I little boy wanted to play under a table at one point with the dolls, and wanted to undress them but didnt want me to look at what he was doing.

I'm only used to DD playing, and the few friends that she has when we meet up with other mums here and there.

Is it concerning or normal?

Wow - that was ever such a long thread title

If in pre-schooler I personally wouldn't worry. He may have not wanted you to look whatever he was doing.

normal

On the face of it I'd say it wasn't ab normal.

okay - good. It was the secretive bit that got me - not so much the undressing of dolls

Could he have been shy because you are a new adult he doesn't know? Maybe he would have hiden under the table if he was playing with the toy trains. Are you reading more into this because he was playing with the dolls?

With pre-schoolers play, I think anything goes so long as no-one is getting hurt. If you mean is boys playing with dolls normal, then yes it is. If you mean is being secretive normal, then yes too! I hope he found out what he was looking for...

Not fussed about doll play at all as such. It was, as I said, about the hiding and not wanting me to look.

When DD does this, its because she is doing something she knows she shouldnt. That's all.

I would say it was slightly odd, but not wildly odd, iyswim. How old was he? Do you know the mum?

He might not be "allowed" to play with dolls at home?

Normal.

oh, I'd say very normal

QV - your DD was doing the same thing to me on Saturday, until she realised I wasn't really that bad after all

what undressing dolls under the table and telling you not to look?

Are you sure you arent getting confused with my DS and his amazing magic tricks?

hi veni. could it be that someone (maybe his parents) have told him he shouldnt be playing with dolls because he's a boy? perhaps thats why he was being secretive? sounds all normal to me

yes that sounds right ellesbells though my ds(5) makes no secret of the fact that he wants a baby born for christmas

pml southeastastr!! you could at least oblige!!

he wants the one that you can put in the bath!! my mil would be horrified

ill buy it for him then! classic to watch mil's face!!!

yes think i will!

DS's magic tricks were impressive.

No, I meant more that DD kept turning her back and playing 'secretively' away from me. If I moved to look, she moved away again. She just needed to know me enough to be happy to open up.

curious and a bit embarassed - agree with ellesbells, someone along the way has probably told him boys shouldn't play with dolls, hence the hiding.

Wouldn't worry!

oh okay! St G - i have emailed you - have you got?