This isn't a traditional TUG story, more a discussion of my observations.
Those of us on this forum know the desire/need to be tied up or tie someone up starts pretty young, but just how young? We can all review the directory posted here; the majority of the folks on there claim they are in their early teens. Certainly I started with it then, or well before.
I'm a father of two and my 6 year old daughter started showing signs of enjoying both sides of the game at least two years ago. She was constantly building little jails for herself made of rows of toys or little columns of blocks. She would sit in her "cell" and stare forlornly at us as we walked around. She would even wrap her little wrists up in play necklaces, scarves, whatever she could find. We've even found her wrapping things around her ankles.
The kicker was when we got a policeman and fireman dress up set. Almost instantly she was cuffing her little brother's hands behind his back with the little plastic cuffs. She starting doing it with friends and play dates. It was crazy! I had to take them from her and hide them.
Ok, I know that is hypocritical, but I don't want our friends to avoid coming over because they are afraid my little daughter will tie up their kids.
Keep in mind, she has never seen ANY of my games with my wife. She's never caught us at it and she can't reach my bag of goodies yet.
At the point she was doing this, she had never even seen a show with cops in it. How did she know to cuff the hands behind the back? It was completely instinctual.
Being me, I can easily recognize what's going on. My wife having married me (and my needs) she recognizes it too and rolls her eyes at me.
It just amazes me that it manifests THAT early. Talk about nature versus nurture!
Anyone have anything to add? Similar experiences, or evidence of your early beginnings?
I guess my "Birds & Bees" conversation with her will be a little more complex than most parents.
Tri