Three Year Old Boy

All kids are different and I wouldn't generalize about boy or girl activity levels. But I would consider cutting out the tv since physical activity is very important and as they get older many kids spend more and more time in front of it and less and less time playing. Just a thought.

They are all so different - both are "normal". My daughter is super active... my neice (same age 4) is like your son. There are pros and cons to both types of personalities and they will change as they get older. There are days I wish my daughter could "sit still" or "stop talking for a minute (literally)." However I wouldnt' change her for the world. I know my sister sometimes wishes her daughter was less sensitive and more interactive and social, but wouldn't change her for the world. Love that little boy and celebrate who he is - teach him to love who he is and he'll grow up to be the happy and healthy well-adjusted person we all hope our kids do. Enjoy! As far as playing together - I've been there too - it can be tough, but think if it a s a teaching opportunity for them in tolerance and diversity - we are not all alike -thank GOD!

Don't compare your child with others ever. We are all different and somebody, men usually, had to write music, paint pictures, etc. I doubt they were interested in the same things a football player is. Just be sure he is also doing boy things and playing with other things if he needs to but interests are different in individuals. Some kids are afraid of ride on toys for a bit and will learn when others are outside or some just don't like them but like other kinds of things so don't worry. Learn to accept him for who he is. You'll know if there are real problems. I would limit TV but give him books instead to look at and read to him. Sometimes 'active' also mean undisciplined so don't confuse the two and just love your little boy. He sounds like he's intelligent and probably on a different level than some.

Every child is different, especially when it comes to temperament. Your son sounds like a quiet and reserved child who prefers to engage in tabletop activities, which is okay and normal. Not all preschool boys are rowdy... but some are. Neither child is abnormal... they are who they are.

You may want to consider getting him involved in an art or music class where he is surrounded by other children who prefer these types of activities. He may not be a "boys' boy" so take his lead and see what he likes!

All kids are different. Neither of your children are abnormal. Just like some adults prefer playing chess while others would be playing football, children have the same interests or lack thereof.

The best thing to do is to encourage your son to be well rounded. So what if he doesn't like the riding toys, take him to the park, let him run around, encourage him to climb and slide. Let him color for one hour, but then he has to get the wiggles out and be active for one hour.

Also, puzzles and drawing are not 'girl' activities. They are things that have to do with his motor skills that all children are interested in, to one degree or another.

In fact, my 4 year old son isn't interested in puzzles and his teacher is worried and actually makes me practice puzzles with him, b/c they help children understated math concepts so be glad your son has interests.

All children are different. Your son is a thinker and a problem solver - so he loves puzzles - noting wrong with that! I have girl who will tear through the house like your friend's son. I don't think it has anything to do with gender. It is just what he likes. My oldest daughter NEVER liked barbies, dolls, or any toys for that matter. She is a girly girl though. She loves fashion, make-up and stuff like that. But at 3 instead of doing what other 3 year old girls did. She liked to draw and read. So its all about each indiviual child.
PS - It's normal for moms to worry about every little thing. just try to relax and let your son be himself!

well to be honest i dont think her son is the "wierd" one at all - my little boy is just like hers. but i don't think your son is "wierd" either. some kids are just calmer and more low key. deep down your friend is probably jealous :) quit worrying about when he'll "come around" - maybe this is just his personality! as long as his ped. makes sure there's nothing for you to worry about, try not to. i would limit the amount of tv he gets, as much as possible. but there are plenty of "indoor" and "quiet" boys, and that's just fine too. give him lots of books, workbooks, sticker books, art supplies. maybe he has an artistic streak.

mostly, just accept that this is your boy. if he has some feminine tendancies (and those you list don't really seem "feminine" to me, just a more quiet, less rambunctious kid) then so be it. try not to force gender roles on him - he's getting that every S. he's outside in "the world" anyway. if that doesn't turn him in to a butch rambunctious little heathen, then it's just not meant to be. find the wonder in the blessing that he already is.

I agree with the other mamas--every child is different. My son is also 3 and a half and is extremely active and hyper. I've seen other kids that are much less active though. I don't think that being active or reserved has anything to do with gender. I'll bet he will just happen to be the more studious, serious type of person when he gets older. I'd still try to encourage him to be active since exercise is important for people at every age. Maybe limit the TV time? I know it's hard at their age because they aren't very good at accepting things they don't like. My son LOVES TV but we don't allow him to have it on as often as he would like.

I say your son is perfectly normal. Every child is different and has their own "likes" and "dislikes". We have a neighbor and her son is about 7 months younger than mine. The two boys are absolutely nothing alike. The neighbor boy is constantly full of energy, jumping off of furniture, racing around, and never still for long unless he is tired. My son on the other hand is much more laid back. He loves to work on the computer, do puzzles, things involving art and playing outside. He is much more the "thinker" than the "partier" lol. I was not able to watch the neighbor boy either because he was more than I could handle. We have the ride on toys too and he was not interested in them, unless they belonged to some one else or once he was more of a 4yr old they were more appealing. I say take advantage of the willingness to learn, it will only help him. If he is not like your friends child, so what, he is perfect just the way he is. Perhaps he is just a little more mature for his age because of the attention he receives. My son is now 5 yrs and still not the typical boy (compared to the neighbor), but doing great academically in school and is happy. Don't worry. :)

Go with his personality and interests.
For any child, girl or boy... this is key.
Each child, being different.
NO 2 boys, are the same....

I have a boy, 4 years old. And a girl.
They both have different interests and talents.

My son is very active too.
From about 3 years old... boys are like wild horses... and get more physical... they NEED to get out their yah-yah's... physically.

Do you take him outside...daily?
In a park?

DO NOT.. let your friend comment negatively on your son. Her boy is different. Not all kids have the same tendencies.... nor play styles.

all the best,
Susan

Neither one is abnormal, kids are just as different as adults. My son tends to go between the two extremes. He loves to help me cook, and we got him a play kitchen where he loves to prepare little plastic meals for everyone. He can also play with legos for hours on end. But some days he is a maniac, he wants to jump through the house like a frog and throw toys around in every room. Your son will probably do better in school that the really energetic boys, because he will be able to sit and concentrate and pay attention. Don't try to change him, just go with it!