When should grandparents stop treating kids like ‘babies’?
I honestly have a real problem with people who treat their kids like babies - with baby talk or compliments on how much detail they pay to picking jam from between their toes.
I’m not about encouraging individuality to the degree that I will baby talk my kids when they are 14 and 15-years-old.
In fact, I don’t think I baby talked my kids after they crossed over into toddlerhood.
I always felt that I would be of better service to them if I spoke to them with respect.
Just moments ago, I was held as captive audience to such a display. A grandmother mollycoddling her grandchild and acting as though they were completely helpless to do some things for their self.
“Oh well Junior is SO good at painting, he painted the side of my barn with a bright red and it turned out beautifully.”
“Oh Junior, let me help you lift that feather, you really shouldn’t be lifting such things yourself.”
I wanted to SCREAM!
This is a common occurrence around my neighborhood - in fact, they are constantly buying the kid things he wants and in turn I have to explain to my kids why I can’t and won’t spend on them the same way.
I’d much rather provide my kids with the priceless gift of respect and genuine conversation than to have them feel they must have grandma help them with every single thing.
I can only hope that if the kid grows up to be needy and dependent that the grandmother is still around to support him.
So tell me, is that something that rubs you the wrong way or am I just being a little too picky and pissy about those types of things?
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POSTED IN: Relatives
4 opinions for When should grandparents stop treating kids like ‘babies’?
Sherry
Jul 28, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I completely get you. My oldest daughter is going to be six years old in September. She’s been walking for almost five years now, started about 13 months. She’s, you know, pretty good at it by this point.
My father-in-law took us to her soccer game a couple of weeks ago because my husband had to work late. Father-in-law got all panicky because she was heading down the four flights of stairs (gasp) all by herself. He actually said, “Wait, hold my hand, I don’t want you to fall!”
What?
I appreciate his love and concern but honestly, if she can’t walk down the stairs in an apartment building by herself, I’d better not let her go anywhere ever. What does he think she does at school all day long? Hold the teacher’s hand?
marye
Jul 28, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Dunno.
I compliment and encourage my kids alot. ALOT. But I was verbally abused as a kid..so it is important to me.
Treating them like babies? Not likely…we l’arn ‘em to use a chainsaw by age six ’round these here parts.
Angela
Jul 28, 2008 at 11:28 pm
This is a job for Dr. Laura for sure! I wonder what she might say about this one.
Scotti
Aug 14, 2008 at 8:32 am
OMG this is my grandpa. I will be 16 in a few months, and he treats me like a baby. He even tries to hold my hand in public.
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