My daughter won't kiss anyone

[rebop]

Early on in my daughters life she was a very kissy affectionate kid.  Then, right around 4 years old she stopped kissing her sister Dad and me (mom).  She is 10 years old now, and several times over the last few years I've tried to sneak a kiss in on her lips.  I've talked about it with her and still she will not kiss anyone.  In the last year or so, her Dad (she idolizes him) has gotten her to kiss his cheek.  She does it in a very self-conscious goofy way.  We act pleased and try not to make too big a deal of it.  A few times I've quizzed her so much on why not, and just try it, that she's started to cry and says "I just think it's gross- it's yucky".  It breaks my heart because I love being affectionate with my kids.  My 6 year old daughter is extremely kissy and huggy and will kiss uncles aunts and grandparents right on the lips and give them a big hug.  The 10 year old is an excellent hugger and hugs all realatives.  She's always been a big affectionate kid with hugs.  She hugs her friends at school everyday before going home.
So, she can definitely be affectionate by hugging, sitting in my lap etc.  I try to ignore the issue, but I know of no other person (child or adult) that doesn't kiss.  I'm afraid she will be afraid to kiss boys when she begins dating (which hopefully will be a long ways away).  What suggestions do you have?  Let it go?  See a psychatrist?  I've even asked if anything ever happened to her (like abuse), but I can't imagine it ever could have.  My husband and I kiss when we say goodbye in the morning and good evening after work.  Every once in a while we give each other a kiss of affection- very normally.  She also can't stand to watch anyone kiss on television, and gets "grossed out" seeing it.  She covers her eyes and screams.  What should I do?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

It definitely makes sense to adopt a low key approach to this with your daughter and absolutely apply no pressure, even subtle pressure, for her to change her behavior. Sometimes children who are entirely normal see something (e.g., on television or elsewhere) that has an impact and brings about some reaction. In some instances, children who display some symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder are disinclined to kiss due to worry about germs and contamination. Try to have a very casual conversation with your daughter in an effort to learn more about her ideas. It would certainly not hurt to arrange an evaluation with a child psychologist (or other pediatric mental health professional) who can evaluate the situation and perhaps offer some insight/guidance based on direct interview with your daughter.

[rebop]

Thanks for the quick response. I have approached the subject with her calmly quite a few times as has her dad.  I will probably involve a health professional next as long as that won't bother her.
thank you