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John Rosemond - Parenting Expert |
John Rosemond is America's most widely-read parenting authority! He is a best-selling author, columnist, speaker, and family psychologist. Index | Archives | About John Rosemond | Books | Submit A Question |
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Is it odd for a child to play with a much younger boy? Q: My 6th-grade son sometimes plays with a neighbor boy who is nearly four years younger and in the 2nd grade. In past years when they were younger they played almost daily, sometimes along with my 8-year-old daughter. I have been feeling increasingly uneasy about the relationship. Wouldn’t it be better for them to play with children who their own ages? Should I step in, or should I let the kids make the decision?
Q: The other day, a large moving van was parked at the entrance to the school my two children attend. The people unloading the van were inmates from the county jail, and the person supervising them was not armed! Am I just being overprotective or am I right to be shocked and concerned?
A: First, the statistics indicate that children are more likely to be harmed by someone they know and trust—a kindly neighbor—than a complete stranger. Second, there is no evidence that the average criminal is sent into a frenzy at the sight of young children. Third, the rare person is in jail because of child molestation; most inmates are in the slammer for things like stealing cars or dealing drugs. Fourth, I’d be reasonably certain that your county law enforcement people would have more sense than to put a child molester in close proximity to children. So, yes, I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Feel better now? |
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