Struggling with older children being purposely mean to my toddler/ how do I advocate for him without overstepping?

F

U can speak up without necessarily telling someone else’s child off. When there are bigger kids running around they don’t care if they bump into my 20mo I say out loud “watch out for the little baby please” Bc sometimes their parents won’t watch over them or say anything to them , maybe they are shy to say something to their kid in public .

I approach the parents this isn’t unlimited babysitting control and watch your kids . My almost 3 year old knows how to take care of things. Not to eat or drink in the play part and to watch out for younger kids your older ones should too

If older kids are being a bit rough around my little one and the parents aren’t keeping an eye I’d have no problem asking them to be careful, or to watch out please. I think when kids are in the park having fun, they can get boisterous and excited but unless they’re directly targeting my little one I wouldn’t see them as being mean

I do advocate for my daughter, but I don’t say anything to another child that I wouldn’t say to my own. So I wouldn’t say I tell anyone off 😅 At the end of the day, they are all little kids and learning to navigate the world. How I see it is whether the older kids listen to me or not, at least she knows I’m on her side! And I always reassure her that she’s doing the right thing by playing nicely and sharing. You can only really control your own interactions with your child and that’s what they will learn from the most.

I would firmly or politely ask them to mind out for others as there’s smaller children also using the park. Kids especially in groups will play without thinking, can be rushing around, not paying attention, not thinking so it’s more just reminding them to look out. Just as I would at baby and toddler groups if my toddler was playing near a baby and needed to be careful. If there was more deliberate interactions then I’d have no problem saying something politely and then moving away if they weren’t listening. I think about whether I’d be happy if someone else said what I would say to my daughter, and if I wouldn’t mind, then I say it.

I think you can say something to the other kids in the moment that helps them have a bit of empathy for your little one. If it doesn't work, you may have to redirect your kid like you're doing, but I think it's okay to interact with the older kids of they are doing things that are hurtful

I always look for the parent first but then say something and if the parent gets upset then stand up to them too.

One time at a soft play an older boy was purposely targeting my son & snatching literally anything that he picked up, my son was younger and quite passive at that stage & looked up at me upset/confused. The mom was of course oblivious or just didn’t care. So after the 500th time of it happening, I did snatch the toy back from the kid and said firmly “no, he was playing with that” & gave it back to my son 😂😂😂 he didn’t do it again. Apparently in the minority but I have no issue telling off a little brat who’s bullying my son if the parent can’t be bothered.

I’d just get in the way of the child and tell my son to come here 🤣 and then I’d say oh watch out! Politely if they bash him!