Anna got pushed down at a park/wading pond. It was only us and two slightly older boys, when she approached them (clad only in her sodden diaper) she showed hesitation at walking out into the water again, so one of them..he didn't really push, or shove, something a little less violent, nevertheless Anna fell down rather clumsily. She stayed upright and wasn't in any danger. During this whole event I stood back to see what would happen and the mother of the boys jumped up and got to her before I did, she apologized profusely and chastised her child (not as sternly as some would) Anna was obviously ready to go so I changed her diaper and gathered our things. They apologized again as I passed, but I was totally okay with the situation.Then I started to worry that I was too okay about the situation. Aren't mother's supposed to be outraged when their child is bullied at the park? Shouldn't I be offended and miffed and fuming?
well, I'm none of those things. Maybe I just see getting pushed down at the park as a learning experience. "Life sucks Anna, get used to it" maybe I'm just not one of those "Helicopter" parents that's always hovering around to keep kids from doing anything. As we drove out of the parking lot I thought to tell Anna "Don't expect boys to change as they get older."
I don't think there is a point here, but you read it anyway.
PS. If you want the story to get a little deeper, when the boys first came in, the future offender ran over to me as he saw my little baggie of cereal treats. I gave him some. Three minutes later he came back for some more. His parents were embarrassed but I was totally ok with it. I will always buy the affection of children with candy and attention. Three minutes after that he pushed Anna over.
2 comments:
I agree 100% with you not making big a stink over it. If you let your children see you make a big deal out of something small, or be angry at things out of their control, they'll learn those behaviors. I don't think anything is gained by by being miffed and fuming.
I am just happy that the mother got up and did something herself. I would be unhappy if the mother didn't care at all. As for you, I think it's good you didn't overreact, because that would've only made the mother feel bad.
There was a short story in last month's New Era (or Ensign..) about a family out in the yard, and her young daughter walked out into the street, when a boy with some teens drove by and almost hit her. Instead of being apologetic, they yelled/swore, whatnot out the window and sped on. The mother ended up walking to the teen driver's house and apologized to the boy for allowing her daughter to play too close to the street in the first place.
I don't know if I could be that humble. I would just want to yell at the teen for not being careful himself, and for being rude. Anyway, food for thought.
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