It’s so true. When telling kids (or anyone, really) what they’re expected not to do, it always helps if they know something that they’re actually expected to do, or something they can strive for or work toward. And it’s so great for them to work toward it and feel like they’ve achieved/accomplished something - and…

Of course! I think the key is really just to let her be quiet if she’s more comfortable that way, let her open up at her pace, let her know that whatever she wants is cool with you and you’re along for the ride and there for it, and that you’re okay hanging back, too. Having an adult around who can tolerate quiet and…

That’s awesome that they’re teaching this. It’s a great twist on “keep your hands to yourself” - which is still a great principle to for adults to teach kids, too - but I love that they’re teaching the kids to advocate for themselves and giving them the language to do that, and teaching them how to become aware of…

Thank you so much for the well-wishes! I just need to find a balance because I really do love kids - and love what I do - but as a professional I really can’t disclose too much and can’t be too “mushy,” but I always want to be able to convey warmth and caring toward the families I work with and don’t want to come off…

One friend’s little girl once told him, very solemnly, that he was like her rabbit - she wasn’t allowed to squeeze too hard. It was very cute.

You guys are all awesome. Thanks for this. I do worry about this in a professional setting (I work mainly with older kids so it’s not generally an issue then, but at times I see younger kids as well, and they often have difficulty understanding and often have difficulty inhibiting their impulses/energy, but as a…

Yeah, I would love to hear from parents about ideas of things that might be good to say and non-offensive, or things that have worked in the past when adults have needed to set limits. I’m young, too, and look healthy, so it’s not like they would assume I’m frail or something and would stop the kids from climbing…

One suggestion for a low-pressure activity you can do together-but-not-together, if this is something she might enjoy: coloring. If you’re each working on your own coloring books, you each have your own thing to get absorbed in, you can comment on the drawing the other is doing, you can work side-by-side but it…

Lord knows those kids like to treat my body like it’s their own personal jungle gym

Those are awesome suggestions. I love the secret handshakes.

I posted this in a different thread above, so I’m copying/pasting it here. You can shorten the script but you can teach this at that age. Basically, the tl;dr version is, “This is how to be a good friend: by making the people around you happy! Look, [name] is happy when they’re not being touched. Let’s make sure…

YESSSSSSS. I work with kids, I love kids, I’m not a hugger. I’ll say “Oh, I’d rather high-five!” and parents will still encourage the hugs. Kids really don’t need hugs suggested in inappropriate situations if they didn’t think of it in the first place, esp when they’re kids who struggle with social skills - esp bc…

That is amazing. Best response to that random-stranger-touching-your-belly thing I’ve ever heard, for real. Hope it’s ok if I file that away for when I need that someday.

Eh, as much as I’d love to talk to them directly about it, I don’t think it would go particularly well. Since it doesn’t happen very often (nephew lives elsewhere and has a fun visit of his own with my in-laws periodically, which is when it tends to happen, since he’s sort of in their charge and they live right nearby…

That’s awesome! I only mention because a) some people don’t mention the doctor at all, and then sometimes kids get freaked out when they check; and b) it’s so important to let kids know it’s ok to ask questions (and to know who to trust for accurate info, and who it’s appropriate to ask when they get curious [ie, can…

When my in-laws have tried to make my nephew kiss me he’s been clearly uncomfortable (and I’ve been uncomfortable at this, too - I just hide it better than my little nephew), I’ve offered him high-fives and you could see his whole body relax and he breaks into a smile and gives the most enthusiastic high-fives. It’s…

Awesome way to incorporate the explanations of private area and everything. Can I mention one thing you might want to add to your explanation, though (although I realize he’s nearly 3 so this may be a little early to say this)? It’s definitely his private area, but sometimes the doctor or his parents will have to…

I work with kids and have been having this conversation so often lately with kids that age and their families. One tactic that I’m finding seems to resonate well with kids that age: “You know what Johnny, I can tell you really like Sarah, and you want to be a good friend. You know one great way to be a good friend?”…

also miffed he’s suggesting teaching kindergarten is so easy. This dolt wouldn’t last an hour.

Eh, she didn’t call them good people. She called them “able” and “devoted,” if I recall correctly - and they are certainly devoted to their dad, and they are certainly work and are quite able at certain things, it’s just that they’re douchebags who don’t exactly have lofty goals that benefit others.