DS has a few friends who are a little more spirited than he is. They play and get along great most of the time. (The kids are all 2-4 years old.) Now and then, though, something will happen, whether the boys get a little too wound up, or it's time to leave, or someone needs lunch/nap, and a meltdown ensues. Depending on which kid it is, sometimes my son sees the kid carried off to the car, kicking and screaming, sometimes he sees much more gentle parenting (soft talking, choices and several opportunities to cooperate offered before mom makes the move to leave/take the toy away/whatever) while the kid continues to scream and cry.
Usually our playdates are only one or two other kids at the most. Esp when it's only one mom and kid, what should I do? Should we sit quietly and wait for it be over? Move to another room to give them alone time? Should DS (2 1/2) not be exposed to kids behaving this way? (It doesn't seem to upset him, but he has become a little more conscious lately about "happy" and "sad" and "crying") Or is it good for him to see how other mommies deal with uncooperative kids (no matter what the reason for non-cooperation or the method the mom uses -- and we can talk about it later if we think that's a good way for us to handle situations or not).
Sometimes I feel like I should offer some support, but that's usually brushed off, b/c well, the mom has it all under control and what would she want help with unless she needs an extra pair of hands b/c she's dragging the kid? Then I feel like a spectator and it feels rude to just sit and observe. Then it feels even more rude to walk away.... (I'm talking about in the house; obviously, at the park or something it's easier to take DS over to the swings or something...)
WDYD?
Usually our playdates are only one or two other kids at the most. Esp when it's only one mom and kid, what should I do? Should we sit quietly and wait for it be over? Move to another room to give them alone time? Should DS (2 1/2) not be exposed to kids behaving this way? (It doesn't seem to upset him, but he has become a little more conscious lately about "happy" and "sad" and "crying") Or is it good for him to see how other mommies deal with uncooperative kids (no matter what the reason for non-cooperation or the method the mom uses -- and we can talk about it later if we think that's a good way for us to handle situations or not).
Sometimes I feel like I should offer some support, but that's usually brushed off, b/c well, the mom has it all under control and what would she want help with unless she needs an extra pair of hands b/c she's dragging the kid? Then I feel like a spectator and it feels rude to just sit and observe. Then it feels even more rude to walk away.... (I'm talking about in the house; obviously, at the park or something it's easier to take DS over to the swings or something...)
WDYD?
