Q My 3 1/2-year-old son has been at home with me since Day 1. I'm worried about his social development. He loves being around other children, but that doesn't often happen. None of my friends have kids his age, and we can't afford a preschool. During the day, he plays with toy cars and rides his tricycle around the house. (We don't watch television until he's asleep, if then.) He plays well on his own without any help from me, but I try to get him outside for a walk or to the park every day. Of course, I read to him a fair amount. He doesn't complain of being bored, but I worry that he might be. Do I need to spend more time playing with him to make up for the lack of kids?

A Your little fellow hardly sounds bored to me. He entertains himself well, stays out from underfoot and sits still when you read to him. Overall, it sounds as if he's adjusted to his circumstances quite well. Furthermore, I don't think his social skills are at risk. This is a much overblown issue these days. Preschool is not necessary for healthy personality development. In fact, some researchers have discovered a connection between aggression and group care during the early years. If your son plays well with other kids, however rarely, he's fine.

Like too many of today's moms, you're jumping at shadows. Relax. Stop worrying. Enjoy watching your son grow up in a TV-free zone.

Stuffed animals not badQ My husband recently discovered that our 7-year-old son has been sucking on his stuffed animals when we put him to bed. He became upset and took the animals away, telling our son he was too old to be sucking on them and that he could have choked. I think that my husband overreacted and that we should consider letting our son earn one back. What are your thoughts?

A My first thought is that your son should not have to earn back what shouldn't have been taken from him in the first place. Your husband definitely overreacted, but some dads tend to be overly sensitive to any hint of "sissy" behavior on the part of their sons. I'll bet he wouldn't have given this a second thought if it were a daughter. If a 7-year-old boy takes comfort from sleeping with stuffed animals, so what? If he puts himself to sleep by sucking on their soft fur, so what?

Your husband should give the stuffed animals back, with an apology.

Choke? Where did that come from?

Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents' questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.