Is he too old to hold hands, should i make him stop?

Question

my son is 12 and he still holds my hand in public and whilst i find this great i wonder if there is an age to make him stop or should i wait for him to stop, what age should he stop at, is it okay that he still does this?

Answer 1

make him stop ,if one of his friends seen him they would never let it go .

Answer 2

at about 11, afterwards its abit embarressing.

Answer 3

Nothing wrong with it. My son is 16 and still will hold my hand - like across the parking lot to a store, or in the winter when it's icy. At home, too, just to be close.

Answer 4

This is beautiful, he is not afraid to show his emotions.  You have raised a lovely boy, who is going to be a caring beautiful young man.

This is just wonderful, as a Mum you must be so proud, cause he is of you.  You are very lucky. Good on both of you.

Answer 5

There's not really an age you stop holding your mother's hand but he probably is a little old in some people's eye's,but its what your son feel comfortable with,talk to him and see what he say's to you.

Hope this helps.

Stacey x*x

Answer 6

no way. feel lucky. i hope my son still holds my hand when we are in public, i would even like something smaller affectionate wise. there is no age to "stop" showing affection. he sounds as if he has a soft & precious heart, don't take that away. not with everything you see now adays. my family is very affectionate. my mom and dad used to call me back and say "you forgot something!! a kiss or a hug. i am 31 years old, pregnant and i laid my head on my fathers shoulder at my family reunion and my brother (24 years old) was holding my hand . they got a good picture, but it was a normal way for us to show each other that we still think of each other and love each other deeply. we were just watching the lake on a bench. didn't even know anyone was looking until the picture came out. keep that close to you. and don't take it from him.

Answer 7

I think it is great that he still likes to hold hands.  If a kid isn't getting the physical touch he needs from you he will start looking elsewhere and you don't want that.

Have you ever read the love languages book?  The theory is that there are five basic ways that we know we are loved.  They are physical touch, words of affirmation (saying I love you), acts of service (like cooking dinner for someone), quality time, and gifts.  Maybe your son's love language is physical touch, meaning that he knows you love him because you hold his hand.  If you take that away he might not feel as loved by you.  I realized that physical touch is my husband's love language because he is always poking me when he walks by me.  For the longest time I found it annoying.  After reading the Love Languages book, I realized that when he pokes me like that he is really showing his love for me.  It has made me a lot more tolerant to the behavior.

Answer 8

Don't Make Him Stop - Enjoy It!!!

Im going to cry the day my baby stops wanting to hold my hand.

Answer 9

If he is comfortable with it and initiates it then it's fine. It's possible he just doesn't say anything for fear of hurting your feelings so just be sure it's what he wants and if it is then it's fine.  

Answer 10

your kids NEVER get too old for you to show them affection. i have a 12 y/o son and i will let him hold my hand for as long as he will. you are lucky... most ids at that age are embarrassed to still hold their parents hands in public.

Answer 11

As long as he is comfortable with it as well as yourself, as long as you like. Appreciate it as long as you can because one day he may no longer want to because he is "to old" for that stuff.

Answer 12

That would mean he's about a sixth grader.  That's way too old to be holding on to mommy's hand.  This expresses his lack of independence and insecurity issues.  You might want to start treating him like he's twelve and give him some responsibilities.  Allow him to make choices in the everyday things life brings and encourage him to do things with his friends, and without parents.  He really needs some guidance to ease him into the adult world.  It will get here quicker than you know and he needs to have the experience to deal with life.

Answer 13

Enjoy it while it lasts.  He WILL stop sometime, and you'll miss it.  If he doesn't mind, who cares what other people think.