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Expert Q & A

Top : General : Is this normal behavior for a preteen to wrestle with a 4-year-old and pull her shorts?

Preteenagers Today's Health Advisory Panel Answers:
Is this normal behavior for a preteen to wrestle with a 4-year-old and pull her shorts?
By Chris Crutcher
Author
Licensed Child and Family Therapist
 		Chris Crutcher

Question:


My neighbor's 11-year-old boy was wrestling with my 4-year-old and pulled her shorts down a few times. My daughter was upset. Is this normal behavior for a preteen? Is a strict "talk" enough to resolve the issue?

Answer:


It is normal behavior for a preteen, and it is also unacceptable. I'd go with the strict talk first and see if it does the trick. If it doesn't, then there may be more to it than normal behavior. I tend to always use the fewest guns I need to fight any battle and work up from there. If it's just the normal inappropriateness of an 11-year-old, it will stop with your stern mentioning. If not, act decisively.

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