Does or did anyone elses child not know their own strength and end up being a bit forceful with shows of affection?
My ds is 17 months and very loving (although obviously still snatches the odd toy!) But hes a big boy (98th centile weight and about 75 for height, not fat but stocky and really strong).
Hes recently had a bit of a leap with his social skills and where as he has always kissed and cuddled DH and I or family he is starting to initiate and reciprocate affection with kids he is close to. But they're all smaller than him!
So for example he will go for a cuddle but end up pinning a child against the wall or wrestling them to the ground whilst doing so.
He also likes to cuddle our cats by laying his body/head on them and saying "aaah" but the cats can get away if they're fed up whereas other toddlers cant so he ends up laying on them. He carries on with the cuddle not realising that the other child is upset.
How did you deal with this? I don't want to call him out all of the time when hes just showing affection, which is gorgeous, but equally I dont want him inadvertently hurting one of his little friends.
I'm not making excuses for him and obviously if he pushes or were to hit or bite another child that would be totally different. He's a gentle giant at heart he just hasnt quite learnt the gentle bit!