Passivity in friend's 19 mth old

[Jennifer13]

Hi girls

I've been wondering how much it is to do with my friend's parenting after your comments. Although some of the things I've described may point to something sinister, so might her general lack of enthusiasm from Mum and her personality. So I'll watch and observe over the next couple of months before saying anything. We've also had a think about how long we continue to have Lucy looked after by her, given we are putting her into kindy next year for a day a week. I think she needs a bit more active stimulation and will probably find some excuse to look for a nanny without another child. For eg, we want slightly longer days than my friend is willing to offer.

We'll see how it goes...

[Janie]

Jennifer, I'm sure it must be really hard for you to watch it, but I'm not sure I'd be willing to say anything to your friend. Without knowing at all what she is like, and how close you are, I'm assuming she'd just get her back up and it would probably affect your friendship. I'm not saying that your friendship is more important than this little girl, but if you're friend doesn't want to hear it, she's unlikely to act on it ATM. It sounds like she wasn't very receptive at all to the MCHNs comments, so I'd guess that she's not yet ready to deal with any problems that there might be with her daughter.

I have a friend who is in a similar situation ATM, it's killing her not to say anything, especially as she is trained in childhood development, but she has realised that it will ruin their friendship, and the mum likely won't do anything anyway.

ETA That's a good idea Sherie. I do agree that mums will usually question these things, but whether or not they act on it is a different thing. That's like admitting there's a problem, which some people find difficult.