Boisterous pre-schoolers

[CockaDoodleDum]

My DS is nearly four. Whenever we're out, a couple of his friends play fight and are very boisterous.

I do my best to stop DS joining in, as I can't stand it - they always end up actually hitting and the noise and commotion makes it difficult for other children playing in the same area - younger ones, but also kids who just want to go on the slide, use the ball pit.

I've always encouraged DS to walk away (which I've noticed a few other people do with their children - they distract their child or take them away). But my couple of friends whose children do play more roughly clearly think I'm mad for asking my DS to not hit back, not to use the soft play equipment as a battering ram, not to jump on his friends backs.

I know boys (all children) are boisterous, and my DS is quite lively, but I think there is a line beyond which being boisterous turns into being quite wild and unruly. But other parents see it as normal four year old behaviour. What do others think is acceptable? Bearing in mind they are pre-schoolers and so quite impulsive?

My own view is that they are bound to want to go wild but you have to teach them a bit of self-control and consideration for others. My friends' view is that you put them in soft play to let them go wild! Wondered what the MN consensus is?

[ilovetochat]

running round wildly and climbing jumping on everything is good but i would discourage fighting as they will not be able to judge when it is inapprpriate and may hurt a younger smaller child.

[CockaDoodleDum]

That's what I think - I hate the play fighting as it always end in tears. I don't let him watch Power Rangers either as I think it is too violent and too old for him! But I know others don't take that view (and their kids turn out OK!), I'm quite interested in where/how others draw the line.

[ninah]

I quite like boisterous I'm afraid, though there are times and places for it I agree.