Personal Space

[CrazyEight]

OOH man I don't have any stellar advice on how to handle it, but I have a dcg who is 4, just started JK, and is this times 1000 and it's giving her huge problems at school.

I only started her in May, and she's come a long way since then, but the parents brushed off everything I was saying, as of course I'm "just the babysitter!" This kid is literally ALWAYS hugging, kissing, stroking, petting other children, me, her parents, complete strangers on the street, you name it. Mom and dad think it's funny and "cute" and have been actively encouraging it her entire life!

Now that she is in school, the teachers have had numerous meetings with the parents and mom and dad are finally (grudgingly) on board with reminding her with "hands off" and "use your words not your hands," etc. I've found that one works well, kids are used to being reminded to "use their words," so when dcg sees a baby at the school or another child that she feels the need to touch, I've been telling her to wave at the baby and use her words instead of her hands.

As much of an annoyance as it is, I need to shadow her quite frequently, especially when we're outside on the school run or a walk. Her hand is NOT allowed to leave the stroller, and she gets corrected immediately if it does. It's the only way to ensure she's not running up to my neighbours, stroking their bellies, and asking "there's a baby in there?" To strangers. All the time. It's nuts.

Anyways, constant reinforcement is the only thing I can really suggest, and try to get the parents on board, because if they are encouraging it, the behaviour is only going to get worse. Good on you for trying to correct it now when he's little; hopefully it will fade and be corrected before he starts school!

Good luck!