Adults playing and joking with children-is it ok?

Question

Is it true that by me being an adult, if I joke around with my nieces & nephews, then that means that I put myself in the position for them to not respect me? If so, how? Other adults joke around with children, but those are the same adults who tell me stuff like this. I ask other adults why don't the kids disrespect them? Their answer is because the kids know not to disrespect them. Well, how do they know to disrespect me?

Answer 1

Any adult that tells you this, isn't telling you the whole reasoning behind their statement, ask them to redefine what they mean.

A sense of humor is good by all means, it also helps us deal with tragedy and grief of every day things, it also good for your spiritual well-being.

Although you may find humor in an action, it maybe offensive to someone else. They still have to show repect for others well being and state of mind. They will know not to disrespect you if you show them how to respect others by example.

There is a time and a place for everything. Learning those times, will put things like sense of humor in it's place. Experience throughout your life will teach you that, and you can only be as good as at it as the teacher. Surrounding yourself with different social situtations will teach you those things. Best of luck to you.

Answer 2

My nieces and nephews have always been able to play around with me. I'm the only adult who will still go outside and ride bikes with them or walk around the park or play soccer. Also, they know they can joke with me and laugh. But they had to learn about respect. I have had to occasionally punish them, but the main thing I do that they respect is talk to them like they are young adults from the time they were very little. You have to be able to be fun and yet be able to control attitudes and situations so they don't think "oh, this is just an aunt/uncle, not my parents." Of course it's okay to play with them .... that's why they like you so much!

Answer 3

Well, playing with children is generally considered good parenting. As far as will children respect an authority figure who is willing to play and joke, then the answer is yes, as long as that person know when to draw the line. If a situation goes beyond an accepted limit, then it stands to the adult in the group to stop the situation, if not prevent it in the first place.

Assuming that you have not allowed a situation to progress beyond such a limit, then there is no reason not to continue such interacion.

Answer 4

I don't see how it puts you in a position for them not to respect you.

In fact, as a child I respected people wether they made jokes around me or not. But I can say that adults joking around me made me feel FAR more comfortable around them. Now that I'm 21 I intend to play, and joke with children, because of how comfortable it made me feel. I don't see how it promotes disrespect.

Answer 5

Maybe it's the way you joke around with them. If it's jokes that kids their age joke about, then they probably wouldn't take you seriously.

Answer 6

playing and joking is part of being a kid, of course it is o.k. here r some guidelines, keep you joke on a none hurtful level, and when they start to go that way, talk with the kids..." I don't treat you that way, please don't do it to me" kids r looking for boundries, if you let them treat you poorly, they will...good luck.

Answer 7

respect and playfulness are two seperate lines to draw. my guess is that the other adults are jealous of the playtime. enjoy it while they are young!

Answer 8

ask them if they would like your input on how to parent their children. When they say 'no', telll them to butt out of telling you how to be an uncle! (or aunt)