Adults who work with kids—whether as teachers, coaches, or mentors—often become beloved figures in their lives. These relationships are important, but they also present moments where children must learn about appropriate ways to express affection. While a toddler might happily cover their parents in kisses, they need to understand that not everyone welcomes the same level of affection. Learning these boundaries comes not just from parents but from all the trusted adults in their world.
A great example of this was captured in a video showing a swim instructor wrapping up a lesson with a toddler. As she hugged him, he warmly responded, “Thank you, Mila. I love Mila hugs!” But when she leaned in for a kiss, he gently pulled back and said, “No, no kissy. No kissy ‘cause I’m coach. You only kiss Mommy and Daddy, okay?”
At first, the little girl looked disappointed and began to cry, but the coach quickly redirected her with a cheerful alternative. “Okay, hey! High five!” he said, holding up his hand. “High five ‘cause we’re all done!” She immediately perked up, gave him a high five, and the moment ended on a positive note.
His subtle but effective response struck a chord with viewers:
- “So sweet… I sometimes have young clients who want to give kisses, and while it's adorable, it's also important to teach boundaries in a kind way.”
- “This moment not only teaches kids about respecting others' space but also reinforces that they, too, have the right to set their own boundaries.”
- “The way he navigated that—gently, clearly, and with a smooth redirection—was perfect. Parents must feel so comfortable knowing their kids are in good hands.”
- “I love how he kept it fun while setting the boundary. Kids can be affectionate, and it's great to help them learn what’s appropriate without making them feel bad.”
Some people noted that in certain cultures, kissing as a greeting is perfectly normal for all ages. However, even in those cultures, learning when and where affectionate gestures are appropriate is still essential.
This swim coach handled the moment like a pro, showing exactly how to reinforce boundaries while keeping the interaction warm, respectful, and child-friendly. Well done, Coach!