Whenever we take our 19 month out to the park, he tries to play with other kids scooters/bikes/toys (even other prams) and gets meltdown level upset when I try to direct him away.
Sometimes, I can distract him by pointing out cars we can see from the park but this rarely works and we end up having to leave.
I am trying to be firm by saying no, it’s not your toy/bike etc why don’t we play with something else but this never works and he just gets upset. I also bring our own toys to distract him but again this doesn’t work. I also go to the park really early in the hope that it is empty but I can’t always control this.
Most parents are really understanding and say they don’t mind if he plays which is lovely and much appreciated but I want to teach DS that he can’t just help himself to whatever he wants. He does this with food sometimes as well.
Is there anything I can do to try and teach this to him? And also to share and take turns? Is it just going to take time for the message to get through?
I feel like he’s the only kid in the park that has a meltdown and gets upset about these things and also feel he doesn’t listen to me. Comparison is the thief of joy, I know, but none of the other kids in my NCT group have this problem or have kids who have meltdowns in the park so I feel like I’m doing something wrong and don’t know what to do.