Keep your family safe from germs and bacteria
Meet Mickey Mouse and friends live
A sprinkling of Latte Creations makes an everyday coffee break extra special
Some surprising facts from the Colonel
A nursery romance
I have a situation I'm not sure how to handle. I went to pick up my four-year-old at nursery last week and she had to kiss and hug a boy in her class before she left. She then said to him 'Bye boyfriend'; and he said 'Bye girlfriend';. I stood there dumbfounded; I didn't know whether to smile, laugh or scold... so I just let it go. The teachers said it was normal but it has been eating away at me since then. Where would she get these ideas from in the first place, is it appropriate, should I have a talk with her. Is it normal?
Children around this age do sometimes form affectionate relationships of this kind with other children. They are alert so they hear and use the description of 'boyfriend'; and 'girlfriend'; for someone who is special to them. If the incident you describe is the usual way that your daughter says goodbye to this boy, then don't worry about a kiss and a hug.
Feel free to talk with your daughter, but not with any sense of worry or scolding. Perhaps ask, 'Is Danny your special friend at nursery'; and consider asking him round to tea. Apart from the fact that a social invitation would be appropriate if the children get along very well, you could also put your mind at rest that they play together like four-year-olds.
Why not chat to other iVillagers about toddlers on the The Things Kids Say message board. Take a look at some of the LIVE discussions happening now on the board:
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
