https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 01 Jul 2026 03:18:38 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stand-up-for-your-kids#post-2444715 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 12:51:05 +0000 sarac 2444715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would have said 'he said no, which means no', very firmly. Especially to family. Boundaries are so important. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stand-up-for-your-kids#post-2444358 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:31:43 +0000 Adira 2444358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's definitely hard with family and I've struggled with this too. When someone asks for a hug or kiss from Xander and he says no, I try to offer alternatives: "How about a high five? How about we blow kisses? How about a wave? Maybe he'll be up for the hug/kiss next time!" Usually people are respectful when I offer alternatives, but not always. I got into a pretty big fight with one of my in-laws when Xander was still non-verbal and they were trying to force some bonding time. They picked him up and just walked away with him, thinking that if they could get me out of his line of sight, he'd be okay with them. Before they could get too far though, I walked over and took him back with a firm "We don't force him to be held/hugged/kissed by anyone." It got me the silent treatment and uninvited to future family functions, but it was worth it to me to make the line in the sand and make it clear to my son that I had his back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stand-up-for-your-kids#post-2444311 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:10:20 +0000 Truth Bombs 2444311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would absolutely tell strangers that they are completely out of line to touch my child under any circumstance. It's tougher with family. I normally try to get the point across through talking to my child "oh baby I know you're tired and you just need a little space right now, that's ok, let's get you to bed" Hopefulky that gets the point across without having to address the offender directly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-stand-up-for-your-kids#post-2444306 Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:06:24 +0000 erinbaderin 2444306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always had a hard time figuring out the line between politeness and standing up my son. He has always sucked his fingers, and on two separate occasions total strangers have pulled them out of his mouth and said he shouldn't do that. The most recent situation happened yesterday. My parents has been over and were leaving. B was tired and cranky, and cuddled up against me with his head on my shoulder. My mom asked him for a kiss and he shook his head no. So then she leaned in and kissed him anyway, and was rubbing his back, and grabbed his foot and was kissing his leg, and I was just cringing. I have in the past had a talk with her about how we're trying to teach him that if somebody says no we respect that, but clearly she's forgotten. </p> <p>So how would you have handled these situations? With the strangers taking his fingers out of his mouth I had resolved that next time I was going to firmly say "please don't do that" but then it never came up again. My mom is a tougher situation because generally she makes me nuts and I need to be sure that I'm not just overreacting. Maybe a calm "he's tired and grumpy, I think he just needs some space"? </p>