Mom tells 11-year-old daughter she's 'too old' to snuggle, daughter stops talking to her.

In this scenario, the mother (37f) expressed discomfort with her 11-year-old daughter sitting on her lap and cuddling, feeling that the behavior was inappropriate for her age. The daughter, who is smaller than average for her age, enjoys this physical affection as a way to connect with her parents. When the mother abruptly told her daughter she was too old for such behavior and to get off her, it deeply upset the daughter, causing her to retreat to her room and display signs of emotional distress.

The aftermath of the incident left their relationship strained, with the daughter avoiding unnecessary interactions and not reciprocating her mother’s attempts at physical affection. The mother, while feeling conflicted about her decision, struggles with the belief that her daughter might be too old for lap-sitting, given her age and size. However, she is now grappling with the guilt of potentially hurting her daughter’s feelings and causing a rift in their bond.

From an outsider’s perspective, the mother’s decision to abruptly declare her daughter too old for lap-sitting could be seen as insensitive and hurtful, especially considering the daughter’s smaller stature and likely desire for physical closeness with her parents. While it’s natural for parents to set boundaries as their children grow older, such transitions are usually handled with sensitivity and understanding, taking into account the child’s emotional needs and feelings.

In conclusion, while the mother may have had valid concerns about age-appropriate behavior, her approach seems to have inadvertently caused emotional distress to her daughter. This situation highlights the importance of open communication, empathy, and gradual transitions in parenting as children mature.

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