Every child has the right to decide who they feel comfortable hugging and when. It's important to give your child permission to politely say no if they don't want to hug or kiss someone. Help them find words to be able to express politely that they don't want to hug someone, such as "No thank you," "High five!," or "Fist bump instead?"
Learning about boundaries and consent are important lessons for them to respect their own feelings and not be pressured into hugging or kissing someone they don't want to. When they are forced to hug someone, they think that the wants and needs of others are more important than their own feelings.
Some parents may be concerned that their child will appear to be rude or disrespectful if they refuse to hug or kiss someone, especially when the person is a close friend or relative. However, it's more important for your child to understand that their body belongs to them. Try talking to relatives about the lessons you're teaching your child about boundaries and ask they they not take offense.
Always allow your child to engage with people on their own terms. If they are consistently overruled by parents, they will believe that their feelings have no value.
It's important to get a child's consent every time before initiating a simple hug. This allows the child to have the final say in what happens to his body. This is a life-long lesson that is carried into adulthood.
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