Dear Amy: My husband and I have a son who is 18-months-old. He seems on track for all of the developmental milestones.
He goes to daycare three days a week.
The children are separated according to age. The place came highly recommended by other parents in our neighborhood, and we’ve been happy with the quality of care.
Last week, one of the staff members told me that his behavior is worse than the other kids in his group. She said that he has trouble sharing and that when he doesn’t get what he wants, he will cry.
My husband and I are wondering if we are spoiling our son by reinforcing this behavior at home.
We’re not sure how to react to this.
— Wondering Parents
Dear Parents: Your child is 18-months-old. No child is born knowing how to share, and children cry when they don’t get what they want because they lack the language skills to use their words.
Being around other children should be good for him — if the adults respond patiently and appropriately when he hits the skids.
You should follow through with the director, ask for their assessment and advice, and perhaps spend some time observing your child in this setting.
My take on this is that your son seems perfectly normal, but I wonder about this daycare — or this specific caregiver.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
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