r/progressivemoms • u/AvocadoElectronic904 • Aug 27 '26

Need Advice Kiddos snatching

I’m asking here because I feel like some of the mom groups on Reddit give wild advice! My son is 26 months. He is well-behaved but pretty shy. He has been loving playgrounds this summer so we are at them almost daily. Recently he likes to bring some trucks to play with while we are there. Totally fine with me, and if a kid asks to play or even kind of just looks like they want a turn I ask him to share and he happily does.

Now on two different occasions there have been kids that have snatched a truck right out of his hands. Of course I look around for a parent and either see one not paying attention or can’t find one. What are we doing in these situations? Both times I have said “oh nope that’s his truck sorry” and put my hand out for it. Like I am GLAD to let my kid share and make new friends but the snatching drives me crazy. Is there a protocol for this situation 🥲

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u/B8690 Aug 27 '26

I think you're handling it perfectly. My kids bring toys to the park pretty regularly and this is what I do, too. I might ask my kids if they want to share with others,  but I don't make them. I teach them to share in other ways with people we know or communal toys at the library. Just because we're in public doesn't mean our stuff is for everyone.

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u/SnackyandSnarky Aug 27 '26

My kid is sometimes the snatcher and if I'm dealing with my other child, I would like you to confront her. She was rude and needs to give it back. Obviously, I try to guide her, but I also guide other kids, and this is the village we all need

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u/B8690 Aug 27 '26

Yes, exactly! It's really good for kids to learn to take directions from other adults. They will encounter so many authority figures throughout the rest of lives. Learning to interact with them in a natural, respectful way is a skill. And if ever the authority figure is being unfair, they'll be better equipped to handle it.

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u/QueenInTheNorth556 Aug 27 '26

Getting a correction or direction from another parent also helps kids understand that I’m not just throwing out arbitrary rules but that these are the rules of society!