Comments on: Wet kisses, pinched cheeks, other mistakes adults make

By: Mina

Mina — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:48:11 +0000

Really loved your story….made me giggle and want to chase my child around the house and plant a big wet one.
I couldn’t agree more with you. When my daughter was younger…and chubbier… she would also get touched at Pick N Pay, every time I went. To the point that I am sure there must be something in the air conditioners or something. I also wanted to shout out “Just keep your hands to yourselves”.
Now she is 5 and is very capable to just hide behind me or move away from possible touchy feely people.
I hope ALL the right people read this article. Well written.

By: Mina

Mina — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:40:41 +0000

Love your story about how you misread the children at the shoot. Also loved your clothing line. Big ups for the ‘local is lekker’ range you have.
Good luck….will circulate your website.

By: Polite

Polite — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:19:57 +0000

Forgive me if I’m wrong,but that seems like a terrible thing to have taught a child,aggressive behavioral tendencies in children should not be encouraged because they continue into adulthood.

I have a 2 and a half year old who has also been taught to avoid strangers,but rather than shout or kick at people,she says no or avoids them altogether by holding onto me.

As Philipa said,they may be little people but they do have a right to their own space and we adults should respect that,just as much as we should teach our little people to appropriately assert their personal space with no violence involved.

By: Akashnie

Akashnie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:34:02 +0000

hi
since my son was a little baby we have taught him not to speak to strangers & especially not to let them touch him, now he’s 4 and hits people who come near him and even shouts at them.
the other day a shop assistant tried to show him how to use a bouncy ball and when she touched him he started to kick her, he’s only doing what he’s been though and that is not to let strangers touch him. i can not blame him for reacting this way it’s what he’s been taught.

By: Shingai

Shingai — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:53:52 +0000

I love this story! I recently did a photo shoot for my range on http://www.kuna.co.za for a magazine , and we ( the photographer , stylist and I ) made a ( false ) attempt to get the kids comfortable, we would pick them up , hug them , tickle , but that only made them want to run to their moms even more ! lol well , we could have maybe saved an hour of shooting if I had read this article two weeks ago – I’d have known to approach them more cautiously!

By: Barrie

Barrie — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 14:06:59 +0000

Great post. We do, as adults, forget how powerful we appear and are in the space of these Sacred Beings. And yes the same respect we give to any adult we don’t know we must show to children.

If we’d do that, imagine what ‘respectful of others’ adults they’ll grow into?

By: Gina

Gina — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 20:22:48 +0000

Love this post.
Really puts it all into perspective. I will definitely be more mindful of the people that approach Aaron. He isn’t shy! Just overwhelmed by the great big hulking stranger that wants to pinch his cheeks!
Thanks for a great article.