What should you do when a child takes a toy from your toddler?

It is a shame that some parents aren't making sure that their little one knows how to play nicely and to share, not take - and people wonder why the world is the way it is. I would surround my son with children that do know how to share. It is harder to take a toy from a group, than from an individual.

If it really bothers you, I would look for the parents of the child that took the toy, if the child didn't listen. I would explain the situation to the parents - but be prepared for some of them not to care at all.

Your question reminded me of a situation that happened to me at the ped's office. My eldest son was 3 years old and went to the play area while I was giving my information to the secretary. My son decided to take a toy off of another boy and I said to my son, "Johnny, give that toy back please." The mother of the boy whom my son had taken the toy off of gave me this weird look. My son still wasn't giving the toy back, and I said again, "Johnny, please give that toy back, it is not yours and you were very rude for taking it from the boy who was playing with it." The mother of the boy said to me in a very angry voice "That IS Johnny's toy! Why are you talking to my son that way?" Her son's name was Johnny too. We had a good laugh over it after she realized that I was talking to MY Johnny!

If they were all two year olds, then I'd let it slide. That's how 2 year old's 'play'. If I was standing right there, I might gently take the toy back and say 'so and so was playing with that, here's another toy you can play with'. Other than that, I'd just redirect my child to another toy and forget about it. When you have a room full of little kids, these things are going to happen. Confronting every parent is not going to work at all.

Btw- I keep a close eye on my kids at these places. If they happen to snatch toys (because lets face it, all little kids do it at some point) then I make them give the toy back. So while I think it happens, I try to minimize it with my own kids. That's all you can do, control your own kids and hope others will control theirs.

I just wanted to add one more thing. This could be a good lesson for your son in learning to assert himself. Teach him to say no when someone tries to take his toy and to come to you. There's no way anyone would get a toy off my 2 year old. I think it's from having an older brother because my older son would not even flinch if someone took a toy off of him. He's just pick up another and go about his business.

I knew our two kids were close in age but didn't realize they shared the same birthday! Happy birthday to Ethan and good luck to you with the upcoming delivery.

To answer your question: When this happens to Elyse I talk to her about how that kid didn't know how to share and look how it made you feel, etc. to give her a reminder about how sharing is nice and such. Then I try to get her interested in something else. Really you can't 'scold' the other kid or take the toy back so all you can do is make it a learning experience.

I really don't think you should bring it up with the child's parents as the above answerer suggested as that won't make you very popular at the Play Place! I think it's important to instill the value of sharing to your child and to others that try to take toys off your child, it is not unacceptable behaviour and they really don't know any better! Just give another toy to the other child if they try to take anything away from yours or get them to play together, they will learn eventually!

If possible, I would find the children's parents and bring it up with them. I honestly don't think this is acceptable behavior, I don't tolerate it from my children, nor do I tolerate it from children they are playing with. I look at it like this, if your child sees someone doing this to him and gets away with it, what's stopping your child from thinking he can get away with it as well? And please don't take that as a blow to your parenting, that's just how most children I've met tend to think, if that makes any sense. If you can't find the parents, or they are unwilling to do anything about it, bring it up to a superviser or other employee at the play place. Play places aren't made for children to go home upset, and no child should have to deal with things like this, regardless of where they are. I have had this problem a few times, and normally have had success with discussing the issue with the other child's parent. Some parents automatically go on the defense, in those cases, you should just try to avoid your child being near or around theirs. It sounds harsh, but sometimes that's your best option.

I usually say "Excuse me, he's just a baby, he was playing with that. Can we have it back please? Thank you"

I don't alert parents in that type of situation

But I have no patience for parents who aren't watching their kids at these types of places.

Twice I had older children PUSH my 14 month old.

I put it to them straight

"Excuse me, he's just a baby. He's much smaller than you, you need to be patient with him. He's just trying to play with you" and then I find the parent and let them know their child is hurting my child.

If my older child pushed a todder I'd want to know.

But really, I'd hope I would BE THERE preventing it from happening in the first place. :)

I can relate--these types of situations can be awkward. If the child doesn't return the toy when you ask them to, I would definately go to their mother and politely (with a smile) let them know that their child took something out of your son's hand and aks them to get it back for you. Seeing you do this might help your son learn how to stick up for himself (in a nice way). You might want to check out this webpage for more about how to deal with this type of thing: http://www.parenting-advice-in-action.com/discipli...

Good luck!!

Should I tell the toddler teacher??

Pretending something was an accident works well with children -- toddler age and for years afterwards. "OOPS! Here, let me help you; there's the toy you wanted! Off you go, very good...!"

let him get a toy and tell him to come to you OR play with him sure you might look like an idiot but hes your kid and you only got him for that age once