smoochy 6-year-old

[Calrei]

Help! My 6-year-old daughter has been trying to kiss 2 of the boys on the school bus. So far these 2 boys (also in her kindergarten class) have been playing along and I know it's all just innocent silliness. But I don't know if I should try to discourage this behavior or what . When I tell her it's not a good idea she wants to know why and I don't have a good answer for her. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jasnjakesmama]

I saw this topic the other day and I was hoping someone wiser and more experienced would come and give you some advice. I think I would feel a little uncomfortable because of some of the things I have read about in the news. Wasn't there a case a couple of years ago where a kindergarten boy was suspended for kissing a classmate? I am sure your daughter is totally innocent and sweet but unfortunately other people may not see it that way. Maybe have a talk with her about who it is and is not okay to kiss? Like it's ok to kiss Mommy and Daddy but not ok to kiss the kids at school? : I'm not sure if that's the right thing but maybe for her safety it's necessary.

[Mamaste]

You don't have to make it a question of kissing -- it's also a question of personal space. When this happened with my DS when he was also that age, we approached it as an issue of respecting other people's personal space. That includes any type of touching/poking/kicking/nudging ... you get the picture. They simply have to learn how to keep their hands (heh -- and lips!) to themselves!

[peggy]

MY DD had this problem when she was that age. It made her very un-popular after awhile. Baby Phat is right, teaching about personal space is very important. I know it was very hard to explain to my DD about the kissing...after all she loved us and got to kiss us when ever she wanted...she loved her friends and wanted to hug and kiss them as well. What helped was to give her ideas on how to show her friends she liked them with out kissing and hugging.


peggy