"Don't steal my mummy!"

[uglycoyote1]

My daughter is almost 2.5. Today we were out for lunch when a woman at a nearby table looked at and/or smiled over at her. She immediately got really upset and started shouting "that's my mummy, don't steal my mummy" and looking over at me as if she was really scared/worried. This has happened before where maybe we will walk past someone in the street who doesn't even look at her and she'll get angry and upset and tell them the person with her is hers eg "that's my auntie/gran/daddy".

Has anyone ever had their child behave like this before? I'm not really sure how to deal with it and she got so upset today that I actually thought we might have to leave the restaurant.

How do you react to this? I imagine telling her not to he silly that people can’t steal mummies should be enough.

Has someone else said something to her? Sounds to me like she has heard a story somewhere, or someone has said something to her about people being taken away! I would really try to choose a calm relaxed time and gently question her about her feelings and worries....

My son did something similar at around 4 years old. If anyone ever looked at me, he would say "that's my mummy; that's not you mummy" and then eyeball them until they walked away!
It only lasted a very short time, and I've no idea what triggered it but he didn't seem to have any emotional reason behind it, and it hasn't had a lasting impact.

See if she just grows out of it.

• around 3 years!

My DS used to say My Momma mine, not your Momma Papa I love her more than you do to DH around the same age - not sure of exact age as he's 12 now and one he got really upset saying it. Not with anyone else though, he was very obsessed with me and didn't want to share with DH.

I would just point out when she's calm that people can't be stolen, you will always be there for her.

My DS is suspected ASD but no idea if this is in any way connected, he does get obsessed with a few people as part of it. Hers sounds more general so it's probably different.

He also told a 9 month old baby who tried to grab me that's my Momma, not your Momma.

My dd, same age, has started doing exactly the same. When I collect her from nursery some of the other children say hello to me and she shouts at them angrily 'it's not your mummy it's my mummy'
So I'm interested to hear the replies.

That is very cute. I shouldnt jmagjnd it's much to worry about...just a phase. Reassure her.

We tell her no one is going to take mummy/granny etc and that the person isn't going anywhere. I don't think that anyone has told her that but I suppose it's possible. I'll try and speak to her at a different moment and see but I'm not sure whether it's just something she says in the heat of the moment.

I'm glad to hear that others have been through the same and that it didn't seem to last long. I've just never known a child to do it before!

@PandasandRabbit that's interesting that you mention suspected ASD - we got referred to the child paediatrics as we had concerns but they aren't going to see us again until she's over 3.