Protecting against aggressive behavior?

[entiti]

Okay....I need a few opinions about this.
Do you try to protect your toddler from aggressive situations or other children while socializing?

My 18 month old daughter is just the sweetest little thing. She's also quite timid, and when another child hits or pushes her, she gets really afraid and goes to hide, or wants to be picked up. There was one instance in particular that made her shy away from other kids all together for a couple of weeks!
I don't want her to feel like ALL children are aggressive and will hurt her, nor do I want that behavior to be imitated.....sooo......

As parents, should we avoid playgroups and social activities where this behavior is being exhibited by being more choosy about who our children play with, etc.; or is it simply inevitable?

[mamadelbosque]

I haven't... my DS was fairly timid and shy when we first started going to playgroups ~18/19 months old but he gradually opened up and learned to stick up for himself. Mostly us moms stand back and let them just play - we only step in if someones crying or has a toy snatched or something, which is surprisngly rarely. Now at a little over 3 ds1 is super sociable nd LOVES other kids and knows how to stand up for himself. I'm *SO* glad we stuck with it

[crunchy_mommy]

I don't think you need to avoid these kind of settings... But you could model appropriate responses for her, and help her feel comfortable with the other kids -- even if it means you'll look like a helicopter parent for a bit

DS kind of avoided the other kids unless they were trying to play with something he was playing with or wanted... he's a little possessive... usually I'm the one running over to stop him from hitting/pushing another kid. He is also very tiny for his age so other parents usually tell their kids to "be careful around the baby"... If the kids are that aggressive & the parents aren't intervening at all, maybe you can find another playgroup -- I've never been to a playdate where the parents just sit by & let their kids hit/push/etc.