My 7 year old son and his best friend are so close and very much alike. They are both good natured, sweet, fun boys and I feel so blessed that my son has a friend that he likes so much. My son's friend hugs him all the time but recently kissed him on the cheek. Now this has become a game. Michael keeps trying to kiss my son on the cheek and my son keeps trying to run away and they both laugh. I am personally not bothered by this, but I am concerned that this could lead to both boys being teased at school. I've also seen them tickle each others necks sometimes. Do I say something? I've tried little hints at my son, but it hasn't worked and he likes his friend so much I'm not sure if anything I say will make him tell his friend to stop.
Thank you,
N. T
Just wanted to send everyone who responded to my question a big thank you. I have no problem with what is happening between the boys, I was just very concerned that other kids would see this as "little kid like" and that that could lead to teasing. There has already been some bullying in my son's first grade class!!! Thanks so much. After reading your responses I realize I do not need to be concerned and can relax:)
N.
I wouldn't worry about it. Seems to me like they are just playing. And this new "game" will probably get old pretty soon and it will be phased out!
Isn't it sad that we think like this? That is not an insult to you, I know you said you aren't bothered by it...just that you are concerned about them getting teased. It just stinks that as a society we would even think twice about something as innocent as this!
Instead of trying to get him to stop the behavior so he doesn't get teased, can you try to give him the words to change the attitude of his teaser? My guess is that you're worried about him being called "gay" or something like that. Be proactive about teaching him what that means and that being gay isn't a bad thing and it's nothing to make fun of someone about. I'm not saying that your son is gay at all (he's seven!) but if he's armed with information he can be the "bigger man" in any potential teasing situation. So two boys are good friends and affectionate - who cares? It's the teaser who ultimately loses. I hope that all of the supportive mamas I've seem here (yay!) and I can help raise our boys to create an environment where kids DON'T get teased for this kind of behavior in the first place. I think everyone would be happier that way.
Good luck!
If they get teased at school it will take care of itself. It's not our job to protect our kids from everything they will experience in the world.
Your son's only 7. He won't be kissing his friend on the cheek much longer. Enjoy the sweetness while it lasts.
I would ignore it (I have a 7 yo son). Boys this age are slowly realizing the difference in the way boys treat other boys and the ways boys treat girls. Believe me, at the first sign of ridicule--it will END! LOL
Honestly, sometimes this country is so homophobic! It's kind of sad that two best buddies can't express what is obviously affection for a friend...
Call the authorities! These boys are affectionate kids! LOL....I don't see the problem. If classmates take issue, they are the ones with the problem. I don't think you should try and give your son some 1950's impression that boys are big tough men who don't show emotion or display affection. If you want to say anything, I would say that at school we keep our hands and lips to ourselves--this included kissing girls too. I wonder if this would be such an issue if your son was running around kissing girls? He would probably get a pat on the back for being "manly".
Sounds darling. Reminds me of the Spongebob episode, "Le Big Switch." If you want the ability to laugh with your son about cultural practices, there's a line in this episode where the "fancy French chef" (in his fancy French accent) says, "I detest you! Nevertheless, my culture requires that I kiss you! Mmmwah, mwwah!" Maybe they'll transition their game to using silly accents next. Just a thought.
It doesn't sound like anything to worry about. If they have already been teased at school for other things, then you might casually mention that their friends are going to think they are goofy or something like that. When my kids do something that I think they might get teased about, that's what I do. ""hmm, how about I take a picture of that and show it to all your future girlfriends!" If they still don't care, then it must not really matter.
it seems harmless, but perhaps you could speak with the other boys mother or father and see what they think. you can also sit both boys down and have a conversation about personal space and not being so touchy with each other because not only does it spread germs but if you do it to the wrong person you might make them feel uncomfortable. think of it if your son was playing with a girl this way, you would probably still want it to be toned down a little. good luck
It sounds very French, but nothing to be too worried about. Just tell them different societies express friendship in varying ways, and ours tends to go with a hand shake more and kissing not so much.
I think it's sad that anyone thinks this is anything more than two young children doing what young children do. There is nothing gay or strange or inappropriate about a friend kissing a friend on the cheek, or tickling. They are 7...seriously. I would say just ignore the behavior...they will stop on their own without anyone saying anything. And alot of times when you make a big deal out of something then it becomes a big deal.
don't worry
