Supervising kids at Playgroup - advice please!

[Scarlet Starlet]

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[Tazzy]

I had this problem at my play group. A few of the older kids would just come and take toys off my ds and he would cry and he started becoming clingy too. If the mother wasn't supervising then I would definitely say something. I have never said anything directly to any of the mothers though. I think when they have older kiddies they think they don't have to supervise as much. If they aren't around then you have every right to intervene. If one of them had a problem with me doing that then I would bring up the issue about their child and the supervision

[bellalika]

I've had parents come and get me at Playgroup saying "we asked DS1 to give "X" their you back but he doesn't want to." I've gone and dealt with it promptly. I've said the same to other Mums. We have an unspoken rule that you can tell other kids off provided you do it nicely and are fair.

Should mention that I'm normally not off just having a chat. My 2 boys run in opposite directions and there is a massive outside play space and 2 inside rooms. I'm normally dealing with one when the other plays up simultaneously. With 2 other mums in the same position we all just jump in as required.

[sunnyflower]

I would politely ask the parent to deal with her daughter. If the mother is outside then yes I would intervene. The girl clearly needs boundaries.

[Honeymoonbub]

If she was trying to get the toy off my DS, and continually did this, I would say to her "why don't you go and ask your mummy if you can take this toy away from a baby?" that way she would bring it to her mums attention at least. Hopefully she would say no! Although you never can tell! If she keeps doing it I would keep sending her to her mum. She would surely get the hint eventually!

[Scarlet Starlet]

Thanks for taking the time to reply ladies
I'm pretty clueless when it comes to other people's children, but after reading your replies I'm fairly confident I'm doing the right thing!
Cheers!

[Scarlet Starlet]

Thanks Honeymoonbub!
J's mum seems like a great mum and does intervene when she sees her daughter being a bit bossy, but I honestly don't think she's aware of how often it happens.
I might save your idea for my back-up plan though!

[Liddybugs]

If she was trying to get the toy off my DS, and continually did this, I would say to her "why don't you go and ask your mummy if you can take this toy away from a baby?" that way she would bring it to her mums attention at least. Hopefully she would say no! Although you never can tell! If she keeps doing it I would keep sending her to her mum. She would surely get the hint eventually!

I agree with this^

[mrsd]

Sounds like what you're doing is fine, SS, but I wondered whether another alternative is to subtly bring your DD to play near where Js mum is chatting so that Js behavior is right under her nose.

I have occasionally had to do this. If she can't come to supervise, bring the supervision to her!

[TheWhiteKnight]

I don't know. After all she is Js mum. She probably knows well what a handful she can be. Maybe that's why she's out of sight/turning a blind eye.

I Think it's okay to correct a child that's behaving inappropriately.