My four-year-old is very outgoing. Apparently, that comes as no surprise since I chose an over-articulated career in public relations, and according to my parents, I came out of the womb talking. Her outgoing personality is truly adorable; she compliments men’s shoes, women’s dresses, you name it.
She is also at that very curious age of "male versus female" as well. She doesn’t like to wear blue because that is a “boys’ color”. She recently asked a little girl who had short hair if she was a boy or a girl. Of course, I whisked her away and apologized.
This is another one of those times where I am unsure how to handle this particular situation because she doesn’t mean anything bad by her questions. She just wants to know. Also, nine times out of 10, she is either saying “Hi” or complimenting strangers. I am not sure how to let her know that asking curious questions like she has done comes off as rude to other people, since I don’t want to embarrass her from conversing again.
As moms, we all have funny stories to share about things our children say out in public. I’m sure you’re thinking of one or two stories off the top of your head right now. But, the last thing I want to do is offend someone or hurt someone’s feelings by my very curious four-year-old.
How have you handled situations like this with your children without stifling their outgoing spirit?
