Lack of attention?

Hi white rabbit,

what a story! I wish I had that much "access" to LG's. Those that I knew in my vicinity, are all grown up now and were all related to me. The only interaction I have now a days, is the casual peep in the local mall or street.

You said:
Lately our little 7yr old neighbor has been visiting my daughter frequently in our home and I've tried to be aloof with her and not let my feelings show. I usually compliment her on her clothes or hair, just little stuff.

Your last sentence above struck me. Could it be that she is starving for affection? I know from past experience that to some LG's, you may only give her a little notice and she is all over you. Heck, even just talking to her is sometimes enough for her to give you her total attention.

We are nowadays living in a time, where children are placed in "institutions" from early morning to late afternoon. Daycare, kindergarden, school, you name it. This saddens me, and when the parents pick them up, they return to a home where the children are given some "quality" time.

And when WE give them a little attention, people frown at us and calls us perverts. To top it up, many fathers today, are scared of getting too affectuated with their daughters. We (males) are scared to death and look around our shoulders, should the girl want to just have a little innocent hug.

Later that night the girls got into their nightgowns and she was all over me as I sat watching the tv on the recliner. I made the mistake of kissing her on the shoulder and she made a big deal out of it. I tried to minimize it by saying that I kiss my daughters all the time.

Again this might just be a sign of pleasant surprize over the affection she received. OTOH, she may have been programmed with the old "stranger-danger" story, and was actually scared. I advise you to be very cautious!

- Concerned