This Was Awkward :D

[Play Care]

Today while sitting next to my 3 1/2 yo dc boy, he reached over and grabbed my breast and asked "Is that your breast?" I removed his hand and reminded him that we are a "hands off" day care and we don't grab other people. I want to be clear I don't feel this was in anyway sexual - it was the same as if he had grabbed my arm and asked "is that your arm?" BUT it wasn't my arm.

I've never had a child as old as he was "grab" before. I have been having some issues with another child in my care who is "grabby" but is much younger and may have some delay issues.

I've documented it in my notes and how I handled it. But I am wondering if/what to say to mom at pick up. For some reason even though it wasn't "secual" it just feels really awkward.

[Starburst]

Some younger kids don't understand boundries

This 4 year old boy I used to babysit always would grab and try to play with my bottom. I noticed he would do this with his mom too (we both were bottom heavy). I think sometimes that kids see their parents being affectionate with each other and they don't understand that its how couples display their love for each other but that not everyone is comfortable with being touched in that way. Thats when you start teaching them about the importants of "personal space" and "boundries" to show people you respect them. Plus most kids don't have the "extra padding" and they think its fun to play with (boys never grow out of this stage).


I'm the type of person where I am not much of a hugger (I will literally drop to the floor when my relatives try to hug me), but if a kid comes to me and wants a hug then I will because I don't want them to feel rejected. Also have you noticed that it appears that hugs have replaced handshakes? When I worked at a daycare the parents would tell the kids to hug their friends and teachers bye everyday and the kids would litterally make sure they hug everyone before they left. When I was in high school (about 3 or 4 years ago) all my friends would hug each other when they said hi and bye- especially the heavy metal rockers (I just thought that was funny)!

[MarinaVanessa]

I would just be honest with the mom and let her know what happened and how you handled it. I think it was appropriate of you not to take it as sexual nature but more of a interest and curiosity thing with DCB. I would however ask that DCM remind DCB about how at daycare we keep our hands to ourselves unless we have permission to hug etc. and to have a chat with him about what areas of our bodies are appropriate and inappropriate to be touched and to touch on other people. That's definitely a talk that DCM should have with DCB, he just probably hasn't had the need for the inappropriate touching talk yet so it's good for her to discuss that with him now.

[daycaremom76]

I agree with Marina, I would definately say something. Because he is so vocal about it I would be afraid he might say something to his Mom or Dad and it might be more of an awkward conversation if you don't mention it first