Weird toddler behaviour
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Anonymous
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I'm a nanny who takes care of a 20mo girl. Today we were playing in her room and she found a small white stick - about the size of a match. I think it broke off a white wicker basket in her room. First she held the stick up to her stuffed dog's mouth for a few seconds and then pressed the tip of the stick to the floor. Then she held the stick up to her mouth, pursed her lips in a way I've never seen before and sucked in! :O and then pretended to stub it out on the floor of course. This was very deliberate on her part and she was looking at me waiting for a reaction.
I feel like a stupid troll nanny trying to stir something up with this but I promise I'm not! I of course am not suggesting that she had been smoking and understand that it is normal for toddlers to mimic behavior they see, I just have no idea here she would have seen this. Her parents, close family and friends don't smoke as far as I know (and I know most of them), and smoking is not common in our area so we don't see it often walking around in the stroller or anything. It was just very disconcerting seeing her do this and I'm wondering if anybody has a guess at the explanation! |
Anonymous
| So you know every single person your charge encounters and observes when you're not around? I agree you're not a troll, not sure I agree on the other part. |
Anonymous
No, of course I don't. But I just am wondering who was smoking around her long enough for her to pick up on this behavior. Seems weird to me and I'm hoping somebody ha a rational explanation to put my mind at ease 
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Anonymous
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It doesn't have to be that long. She could have been standing in line somewhere with her parents and watched someone on the sidewalk. She could have seen it on TV. Could have been outside and saw someone smoking near them. They might have a family friend who you don't know who smokes.
I remember being a little kid and pretending to blow smoke rings when it was cold out and I could see my breath. I don't know one person who smoked when I was little, and certainly not one who could blow smoke rings. No idea where I picked it up. |
Anonymous
| She probably watches her parents get stoned every night. |
Anonymous
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Maybe her dad is a fire eater late at night. Sounds more believable than this post
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Anonymous
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The fact that she looked at you for a reaction means she's probably done this around her parents who have reprimanded her and reminded her "smoking is bad" or something along those lines.
I'd seriously relax. You seem way too worked up over this. |
Anonymous
Unfortunately just a very immature sounding nanny. Can't imagine she can handle any of the things that preschoolers do. Yikes. |
Anonymous
Why does your mind need to be put at ease? Do you think someone is blowing smoke in her face and teaching her how to smoke? You sound like a total idiot and it is frightening that you are a nanny. You don't sound equipped to handle life, let alone a preschooler. |
Anonymous
| woops just saw she's 20 months...not a preschooler. Same sentiments though. |
Anonymous
| I agree, OP, why does your mind need to be put at ease? If you told us she was simulating smoking crack or shooting up heroin you'd have a point, but LOTS of people smoke and kids only need to see some things once to pick it up. She could have seen someone smoking while out with her parents and maybe their disgusted reaction cemented the memory, you ought to know kids this age are sponges... |
Anonymous
| I'm betting op was still in the toddler stage not too long ago |
Anonymous
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Wow, some of you think you are pretty clever. What a bunch of petty bitches.
OP, it is odd behavior and I would be questioning things as well. It IS NOT that common for children to witness smoking unless they are spending a significant amount of time with people smoking (seeing someone in passing is usually not enough to lead to modeling behavior like this). I would casually mention it to the parents and see what they think, they may be just as alarmed as you, and with just cause! |
Anonymous
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OP, Please do not take this the wrong way, but she is just a kid and what she did was just a kid thing.
You are over analyzing this action waay too much. Perhaps you should get a hobby when you are done w/work. Do you like to paint?? 
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