Is it okay if he holds my hand still?

Question

i asked a question similar to this today, and it seems that my son stands alone, he is 11 and still holds my hand when we are out in public, personally i feel lucky but the answerers to my other question have younger children who do not, does anyone else have a son like mine, and should it stop?

Answer 1

I definitely wouldn't push him away.  I think it's perfectly fine.

Answer 2

My daughter is 10 and sometimes she has to hold my hand.  She is quite, and shy, and has ADD.  Sometimes I just need to make sure she won't get lost since her attention span is zero.  I think it all depends on the kid.  My son is 6 and with him, if it is crowded I make him hold my hand, crossing the street, things like that, but generally, he walks on his own.

Answer 3

i answered a question like this a while back. i would NOT stop it. he is your son, and it seems he has a very soft & precious heart.

if he is instigating it, he obviously doesn't care what anyone thinks. and that is great, that means he is a leader and very individual.

i have heard people mention it that the child might get teased. i have heard children tease like this before, but from what i have seen, it has lasted a whole 6 seconds and it doesn't break up any friendships!! it is more of a " i seen you, so & so!" and it is done.

there is so much c**p that parents and kids have to deal with nowadays. why take away this one thing that he still wants??

anotherwards: if he isn't worried, neither should you be. i have 2 12 year olds, and an 8 year old. my 12 year old daughter still holds my hand and hugs & kisses me infront of everyone. my 8 year old does the same thing. my 12 year old boy is my stepson, and he has never been affectionate with even his father. i will never stop that, when they get older. what is the big deal, your his mother, and he obviously is proud!!

Answer 4

As long as your son doesn't seem to be insecure when you are out in public then I wouldn't worry about it.  If he's holding your hand because he is timid being around other people then I might try to encourage him to get out on his own some. My son is 11 and I don't really think it is odd that he does that, as long as he's not being "clingy".

Answer 5

I think its how attached your son is to you, my baby brother still is babied, he still holds my moms hand sometimes, hes very lovey dovey...I dont think there is anything wrong with it, enjoy your sons affection.

Answer 6

I dont have a 11 year old son but my nephew is 10 and he holds my hands. he also lets me put my arm on his shoulders and he holds my waste area. THE LOOKS. i laugh and he does too. he is not embarassed, there is no reason for them to have to stop. it is up to them. bbut i would surely love it if my son would hold my hand till he is 10.! he is 2 now... so we will see.

Answer 7

I don't see anything odd about that. He feels safe and enjoys holding your hand. That is cool no matter his age. We as married couples hold hands so why shouldn't he be able to hold the hand of the one he loves. I held my Momma's hand when i got older. Even after I got married. I loved my Momma.

She died 4 years ago and I get sad when I think that I can't hug her or hold her hand anymore. See here I go crying again-ugh.

Hang on to these precious moments as long as you can because they fade so quickly.

Who in the heck cares what anyone thinks- it is your life and you do whatever you want. we only get one shot.  

Answer 8

I do not see why you should stop.

I would feel lucky also.

Do you know why he still does it is he shy?

My kids still hold my hand although they are 8 and 5 my son who is 8 reaches for my hand also.

Answer 9

It is ok for him to hold hands with you until age 16. This is a good indication that he looks up to you for security, comfort, and dependability.

Answer 10

I wish my son would WANT to hold my hand!!! that's great!

Answer 11

Who cares!?  He loves you.  Whats wrong with that?  Some day he wont wanna hold your hand.

Answer 12

It is of course, very sweet that he does that. I believe a lot of our "social boundaries" are formed out of fear and a sense of pride/or embarrassment. If he is o.k. with doing so, I'd say let him but if in doing so, he is being ridiculed by peers, I'd ask him how that makes him feel.