Should I be concerned??

[oxkimbaxo]

My four year old step-daughter lives with her mother and has a bunch of friends that live on their street. Most of them are boys, which I have no problem with. However, she has one friend in particular that worries me. He is 9 years old and she plays with him a lot.
In my mind, I can't see what a 9 year old boy and a 4 year old girl have in common or why a 9 year old boy would want to play with a 4 year old girl. I don't know if I am overreacting or not, but I just don't want anything to happen to her.

Am I being ridiculous or what?

[lonesomesmomma]

FOR NOW... I don't see much need for concern... just keep a watchful/mindful ear & eye out. I wouldn't go as far as to call it "ridiculous" behavior... just mother instincts kicking it (even if she's your step-daughter). Maybe there is no one in his age group that is around. Or maybe he relates better to younger dynamics (slowed learning or slowed social developments?)

My boy is 6 and as long as it's someone to play with... he don't care who it is. Whether it's his 4 yr old, 7 yr old, & 6 yr old boy cousins or his 3 yr old, 8 yr old, & 9 yr old girl cousins. He enjoys everyone's company and will play with anyone as long as they're willing.

So yeah, as long as she's not showing unusual behaviors I think it's okay...

[oxkimbaxo]

thanks for the reply! It definitely helped me feel better. I mean, she's had some bad tantrums lately and much more of an attitude which is concerning, but I can't say its because of her older friend. She's got a lot of other stuff going on too that could be contributing to it.

I'm still going to keep an eye out for anything weird, but I definitely wont be so worried

Thanks again!