You said that when the neighbors came in, they saw your grandson leaning over and kissing their 2 yr old. Am I clear on this?
If so, first of all, if they saw it happen, what kind of kiss was it? On the cheek? On the mouth? Open-mouthed?
Just a simple kiss is no big deal--it should only be an issue if there is any hint of sexuality involved with children.
Maybe it "seems to have gone from his mind" because it was no big deal. Perhaps he thought the little 2 yr old girl was very adorable and cute, seeing her only as a toddler, and wanted to give her a kiss.
I have a 2 yr old son, and people who know him well (family, friends, teachers) give him kisses all the time (well, friends and teachers give him kisses on the cheek), and he gives kisses back. Children often show affection through actions, as they aren't mature enough to use detailed emotional words yet.
Check with your neighbors and ask exactly what they saw, if you haven't already. If it truly was something inappropriate, then try to talk to your grandson about it again. If he can't remember, dig a little deeper into his past (you said his father was abusive--sexually?). Get him into counselling if there are deeper rooted problems.
I need to speak to my husband again about this since he is the one who spoke to our neighbor. I think the kiss was on the mouth. He has never shown
this type of behavior before and has played with these girls for a few years.
I just don't have any experience with little boys and want to do the best for my
grandson. My daughter is also concerned but feels that it was not that unusual for a child this age.
I have a four year old son--he gives kisses a lot still--now he has seen a few shows on TV that are night programs--and have seen people kissing on the lips--in his mind this is how people should kiss--I am working with him on only giving kisses on the cheek and that not all people want to be kissed. It may just be normal behavior where he thought she was cute and deserved a kiss on the lips--just sit down and speak with him on the fact that there is personal space between people and that type of kissing in reserved for mommies and daddies or even just people who are married. As long as he was not groping her or on top of her trying to kiss her--there should not be a problem,
Thank you for that comment. I never thought of it in that perspective.
I agree that we must talk often to him about appropriate behavior. I just want him to be a happy little boy.