Nickle, I get what you are saying, but from a child's POV, how are they to distinguish between appropriate, loving touch and inappropriate?

As an adult, a pat on the arm or back can be comforting, but if it lingers too long, it can be sexual harrassment. I know that - and it is my decision. I can say "Do not touch me like that."

As a child, I imagine, they would not know. How many times do we admire a cute little baby's tooshie? Completely innocent - but how is a child to know what is crossing the line? They don't even know what the line is. Well - mine don't, anyway. I can't see how old yours are sorry Nickle but from the sounds of "Annabel" in the article, she's a toddler, maybe similar to my DD in age (around 3?), and my DD doesn't have any concept of appropriate/inappropriate yet.

Back to the article, I liked it. I do some of that subconsciously - I have always narrated, I don't think it's silly at all. I say "DS, I'm coming to get you, I'm going to grab you and we're going to change your nappy" and then chase him round the house. I put him on the table and say "Ok, dirty one coming off, just got to wipe your bottom ok? You'll feel better after that."

We also ask for cuddles and kisses - but I confess I do also scoop my kiddies up for a cuddle sometimes randomly. Something I also do is stoke my DD's face if she is sitting close to me... I will have to make up my own mind about how to adjust this behaviour.

Also love Pinky's interpretation of the same topic.