For some time my son (he will be 8 years old in May) starts to "caress": he lisps like a little baby, he pretends to be a baby and he cries and wants to be carried on his arms. He even started looking for a breast to feed him, but I explained to him that it was not possible and that he was too big for it and the milk had been gone for a long time. My husband (his stepfather) says that he is mummy's little son and that it is time for him to "grow up" a little. My son is a little lazy and it is best if my mother does everything, I know that he should do many things on his own and I try to make sure that he does what he can do: getting dressed, preparing a sandwich when everything is on the table, clearing the table after himself and burying the things in the dishwasher, etc. But it seems to me that he is still a child and has the right to fool around and maybe such childish behavior that he will still have time to grow up. On the other hand, I know that certain behaviors should be taught to the child from the beginning, but it is difficult for me to see where the limit is.
Hello, Elu! Imitating a 7-year-old baby by a child can be the most ordinary game, which soon the child will get bored of and will be replaced by another. If it's not just play, the behavior stems from an unmet need to be close to you. Maybe you didn't have enough time for your son when he was smaller, you kissed too rarely, took on your hands or knees, and your child has very big needs in this respect? We won't explain it now. A child who hugs his mother should not be laughed at, regardless of age. This is a nice symptom and a sign of connection. Let's enjoy it, because she will soon become a teenager and there will be no talk of tenderness. While hugging should be nurtured, tongue-tapping is not, as it can become a habit and will make the boy's life difficult, risking his ridicule. If your child does not start speaking normally soon, you must stop with this manner of speech. How to do it? Do not shout or bribe, but offer your son a different game, preferably one in which his role will require an "adult" language and tone. After all, the boy can be the knight who frees the imprisoned princess (you will play the role of the princess). Freeing and kidnapping a beautiful young lady requires the speaking of an adult man's language. Competitive games, more adapted to age, should quickly send the "baby" to oblivion. I wish you many good ideas. B.
Remember that our answerexpert is informative and will not replace a visit to the doctor.
Barbara Śreniowska-SzafranEducator with many years of experience.
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