criticism of my parent style labelling my child

[Carruthers]

I have a lively and clever 3 year old. He is boisterous and resorts to hitting when there are problems usually related to toys. He went through a biting stage but this has (thankfully) stopped. He is an only child and when I am in the company of other adults it is someimes stressful as he constantly seeks my attention. Is this normal? He is a loving and very cuddly child.
I am struggling to deal with a particular 'friend' who is openly critical of my parenting style. I am appalled that she seemingly things it is ok to be so openly critical. She has told me my child has 'behaviour issues' which will develop into a serious problems. I work as a teacher and do not think this is true but it has impacted on my confidence and ended the friendship, which does not bother me as her attitude has not been a one off. Any comments ideas would be appreciated.

It does sound from your description as though your DS may be somewhat overindulged and you may indeed be making a rod for your own back but that is your business and not hers. She doesn't sound like a friend worth having if she would try to force her opinion on you and diminish your confidence.

Enjoy your little one and forget her.

Hard to say without knowing your DS or parenting style.

My dd never behaved like that. Though whether that was down to my parenting or luck who knows?

I did have a friend with a very boisterous boy and her parenting of him IMO was awful. He wold misbehave, she would threaten him with a punishment, he'd do it again and she wouldn't carry out the punishment. However, I bit my lip and never said anything even though he used to hit dd. we did keep our distance for a while because of it, I felt I had to protect dd.

Her DS grew out of it. We are still friends.

And your friend may find if she has another then they may behave just like your DS!