We live in a quiet cul de sac - or we did do - until last year when a family moved in with 4 kids who are home schooled. They are lovely kids, that's not the issue, but they play out an awful lot, sometimes all day. They play outside our house most of the time and are joined after school by the other children in the close. We encouraged my dd who is now 4.5 to join in the fun as I feel it's important for her to develop her social skills at every opportunity......however, playing out has now become a bit of an obssession for her.
No matter what we are doing inside the house, as soon as she sees the kids outside, she wants to drop everything to be out there with them. One little boy in particular she seems to be obssessed with - obviously, it's not a full on love-crush thing (can it be at 4?) but she goes all gooey when she talks about him and tells me she's going to marry him!!
When we have been out in the car as we are driving down the road she's looking to see if anyone's out playing, she rushes her tea to go back out and play - it's all she wants to do when she's at home. She's continually at the window, having coversations throught the glass with them and banging on the windows to get their attention. It's really beginning to get on my nerves - she's a very strong willed child and gets so upset and we get full on tantrums if I say she can't go out - also if I say she can't go out I feel a bit mean as very often I haven't got time to entertain her myself so she's just watching CBeebies and I feel guilty that I've stopped her from going out and not given her a riveting alternative indoors - it's just like I'm stopping her becuase I can as I am finding the situation annoying.
I'm ashamed to say I've found myself getting cross with her for wanting to go out and play - like this afternoon - we had a friend round for a playdate - as soon as he'd gone she was on for going out. i said no as I wanted to do some arts and crafts with her. After much persuading, we sat down with pens and stickers and after 20 minutes, she'd had enough so I let her out. I could tell that she had no interest in what we were doing and was doing it under duress to keep me happy ......i feel as though I've lost her at 4.5 - i only have a few months left with her before she starts school in September and feel sad that I can't spend time with her in my own home anymore.
Is is normal at such a young age to be so obsessed with other children. She is an only child, maybe that has something to do with it. I'm so worried what influence these kids will have on her - she is so young. They range from 11-5 - they all seem like lovely kids though, but she is impressionable. Anyone else experienced this?