Your Children, Interacting With Other Children.?

Question

OK, I don't have any children. However, I do have a nephew (4) and a god daugther(2)

Sometimes, I take them out with my to the park or the beach. This is seperately, not together (the two haven't met, not related)

Anyway, sometimes I feel funny about having my nephew (he's more social then the 2 year old) interact with other children.

The other day we were at the beach. There was a blanket next to use w/ a little boy about 1 or 2 years older. It made me nervous. I know kids are relatively harmless; however, I get nervous b/c I don't know this kids background.

What kind of family is he from? He is going to say something inapproipriate to my nephew (something little kids can't/should not hear) You never know right. Kids do say the darnest things.

I'm talking about, kids coming up to him and saying, " My dad touches me on the pee-pee" or " I watch mom and dad naked w/ their clothes off' (I work as a teacher, so I've had training in child abuse. Abused

children will say these things)

I don't want my nephew (or god daughter) picking up these things from other kids. Not even stuff as bad as that. But, other things like bad words or hitting b/c they saw a bigger kid do it.

When I'm with my nephew at the beach, I'd rather have him play in front of me, by himself in the sand. I really dont' want him talking to other kids.

I know this is odd, b/c I am a teacher. But, do other parents/care givers agree?

If I know the children, the parents or the family it's OK. But, I don't like him playing with random kids.

When I have my own, I have a feeling I'll be the same.

Answer 1

Personally I think you need to chill a little bit. Kids do say funny things once in a while but if that happens you just need to address it appropriately. The children need to interact with other children so they can learn social skills and appropriate behavior in those circumstances. If you are in a public place there is not much you can do, you don't want the child to grow up with a complex, thinking he can't speak to children different from him or that he is better then them.

Answer 2

lol it is not odd bc you are a teacher i think it is bc you are a teacher. i worked as a substitute teacher right after i graduated high school and there are some really messed up kids out there. kids will say crazy stuff but so will adults loudly, in public. yesterday we were in the store and i really don't know what the conversation was about but some lady was using all sorts of words that i don't want my little parrot of a 2 year old hearing. but what can you do you just have to teach them right from wrong. of course your main job is just to be fun but if they hear something like that you just need to tell them it is not a good thing to say and tell the parents what they heard or saw so they can be prepared. you have to remember that those types of things really are more the exception than the rule and if you take a kid around other kids they will buddy up and play together. also the whole "My dad touches me on the pee-pee" thing is a good way for mom and dad to start up a discussion about good touch and bad touch etc. i think when you have kids of your own you probably wont be that way bc you will realize quickly that you cant control the world you just have to teach your child right from wrong.

Answer 3

I think you are to be congratulated for being so diligent in the care of your nephew but you need to loosen up a bit.

No one can protect their kids from the nasty conversations they're going to hear or the bullying that will occur in years to come - but you can arm them with the skills to manage themselves in such situations -- even at 4 years of age.

If you are so concerned about your nephew interacting with other kids while you're at the beach, then perhaps you should be playing WITH your nephew and when another child comes to play you can play TOGETHER.
Childhood can be lonely enough for a child who doesn't have friends, but to chase away potential friends, even if for a day, is a bit over the top I think.

Answer 4

I let my kids talk to other kids. Usually I'm within ear shot. When they were little, nothing weird was ever said. (I have three children, ages 19, 13, and 6). However, my 13-year-old has had some yucky stuff told to her during a "truth or dare" game on a school bus trip. (The teachers and parent volunteers were sitting in the front, so didn't hear the kids, who were at the back). The main thing is my kid told me about it. My other two also would tell me when people said things that they wondered about. (As they get older, of course, they end up hearing lots of stuff at school during recess, etc.). Little kids seldom "say" much to each other, they're mainly interesting in playing. It's the school aged kids you have to worry about. They are bound to hear inappropriate things, because of the great diversity of kids at school. I go on long walks with my kids (one on one), so I hear a lot of these things, then we can talk about them. Re: your 4-year-old, if he plays close to you, you will be able to monitor the interaction. But I wouldn't stop him from interacting. That is being a bit paranoid.

Answer 5

Um... as a parent of two daughter 6& 7....... You might not agree with me now but one day you will!!! Kids NEED to play with other kids and socialize thats part of growing up... they are going to hear bad words and learn to hit.... thats not the part you should be worried about the part you should be thinking about is how when they hit someone you will explain to them why they shouldn't or when they say their first bad word.... how to tell them that isn't good..... Your nephew is 4 and should be in pre-school or will be in K next year and then you will have no control over the kids that are in his class or a criminal background on their parents......you have to learn to let go alil more and let him be a child!!!!! Learn that as a good aunt when he does something wrong you will be able to guide him in the right direction .... not shelter him from everything!!!!

Answer 6

Well, you can't keep them from other kids forever. They need to have good parents who have worked with them at home and taught them right from wrong, what is appropriate, good behavior, etc.. Most kids will tell on another for saying a "bad word." I was always right on top of my kids when they were with other kids I didn't know so I could monitor the situation. Let him have fun with others his age and be right there beside him. If the other kid starts acting up, simply remove your ward from the situation by "going for a walk, getting an ice cream," etc.. Kids do say the darnedest things and it's not their fault, so don't make the other kid feel bad.

Answer 7

you need to relax. Kids need to learn to interact with other kids. You are denying him important skills. Most likely nothing will be said like this. You are being very paranoid. Let him learn these important social skills. If anything is said deal with it then. But of the MANY kids I know nothing like this have ever being said and I worked in childcare for 8 years and never heard this

Answer 8

children should be able to interact with other children sure you dont want them to pick up bad habits or words but thats where your teachings come in if another child is doing or saying something wrong you let your child know its wrong at a young age believe me those kind of teachings stay with them forever they learn to know the difference between good and bad

Answer 9

As long as children are supervised it is vital for their social skill acquisition and problem solving/identification. Now I don't recommed that you let the two of them wander off together, however playing within eye sight and being able to overhear converstaions is harmless. If something should occur you are able to quickly become involved and remove them from the situation.

Answer 10

talking to other kids is about gaining socializing skills that are necessary. When a child goes to school they don't know all the kids, but they will interact with them. Just watch for danger signs and seperate tactfully if necessary.