Boundries

My 4 year old son spends the night with his cousin, and his cousin spends the night at my place. They are 10 months apart in age. I tucked both of them in recently, and his cousin said "We can play the game." When I asked what he meant, my son said "the kissing game." I explained that this was not a game for them to play and that kissing other boys is not something they need to do. I have been keeping a close eye on both of them since them. Recently I was over at my other sister’s and he tried hiding behind a couch to kiss her 2 year old son. I talked to him about it, but now my sister is nervous about them being in the same room together. How should I approach this matter in a better way?

Thanks for contacting us. The question you ask is common among parents of young children. First of all, it sounds like you have been handling the situation well so far. You addressed the behavior right away and continued to monitor their interactions. It is normal for children of this age to be curious and even begin to explore their sexuality. As a parent, it may be shocking to observe, but it may be innocent exploration by the children. You and your sister can seize this as an opportunity to teach appropriate boundaries with the children. It will be important to be consistent in how you handle situations that may arise in the future. If you and your sister are on the same page, the kids will know what to expect whether they are at your house or your sister's.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, give us a call. . The Boys Town Hotline is available 24/7 to parents or kids who need assistance. You can find our toll-free number below.

Sincerely,

Julie, Crisis Counselor

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