When I was a kid, my mom always be holding my hands, especially like when we cross the streets. And I remember at the time, I kinda half disliked it, because I always felt like my movements were being too restrictive, like… I feel like I was too close and I wanted to like move around, look at surroundings, trees, squirrels, etc… She was always afraid I’d get lost, or like… god forbid… get hit by a car.
She also tried to hold my older brother’s hand with her other hand, but he of couse was older and felt embarassed by it so he refused.
I sometimes just run off and go ahead of her because I was bored and felt like she walked too slow, and like I wanted to peek inside a store from the glass window, for example, then we get to a crossing, and she grabs my hand again. Now thinking back, that was actually so wholesome. Like it kinda feels safe and secure being held on to closely.
The memories I remembered of this was around when I was 8-12. Any older than that and I think I just got tired of it and embarassed and I refused lol.
My dad never tried to hold my hands… I guess fathers are just different lol.
Did your parents do that? Did you like it?
I don’t remember, but I hold my kids’ hands whenever they want me to and whenever I am concerned that they’ll run off into a dangerous situation. (And, to your second-to-last paragraph, I’m a dad haha)
My five-year-old and three-year-old sons actively seek it out. My eight-year-old daughter is ok with it, but doesn’t usually seek it out. My eleven-year-old son doesn’t need it and doesn’t ask for it; if we’re in a crowded place and I need to keep him close, I’ll usually just put a hand on his shoulder.