I know I’m not the only parent who lets their children run
free at the Chic-fil-A play place. You know
what? I’m not even a little ashamed; because by the time I’ve hauled all three wildebeests
into that place I deserve a break! I deserve to kick back, scarf some waffle
fries and watch my children play happily enclosed by noise muffling glass. I
keep an eye out, and my boys aren’t always the best behaved kids there but they’re
usually never the worst. You know what drives me nuts though? Parents who don’t
pay even the slightest bit of attention to what their child is doing, because
they usually are the parent of the play place bully.
How exactly do you deal with someone else’s kid harassing
your child?! I’ve tried miming through the glass window demonstrating dramatic
pile drive and left hook directions, but I am not subtle and my kids aren’t
very perceptive. I try to let them fight
their own battles whenever possible but there comes a time when you have to
step in. I feel so awkward yelling at someone else’s child but, I will do it. I
will even squeeze my butt up inside those plastic tubes to tell someone else’s
kid what’s up. You best believe if I hauled myself up inside that germ ridden
plastic that smells of billions of tiny unwashed children’s feet you will be
listening to what I have to tell you.
your child?! I’ve tried miming through the glass window demonstrating dramatic
pile drive and left hook directions, but I am not subtle and my kids aren’t
very perceptive. I try to let them fight
their own battles whenever possible but there comes a time when you have to
step in. I feel so awkward yelling at someone else’s child but, I will do it. I
will even squeeze my butt up inside those plastic tubes to tell someone else’s
kid what’s up. You best believe if I hauled myself up inside that germ ridden
plastic that smells of billions of tiny unwashed children’s feet you will be
listening to what I have to tell you.
My kids attract bullies like magnets, seriously wtf?!! Maybe
because Conner is big for his age and Beau is a peewee we cover the spectrum of
sizes most likely to be picked on, I don’t know. I always thought my kids would
be lone ranger toddlers, never picking fights but always stepping in to end one,
heroically protecting the “little guy”. I guess that’s not how kid fights work.
Maybe it’s the directions I gave about hitting that were confusing,
because Conner is big for his age and Beau is a peewee we cover the spectrum of
sizes most likely to be picked on, I don’t know. I always thought my kids would
be lone ranger toddlers, never picking fights but always stepping in to end one,
heroically protecting the “little guy”. I guess that’s not how kid fights work.
Maybe it’s the directions I gave about hitting that were confusing,
“Don’t hit anyone, especially anyone smaller than you, unless
you’re being picked on, although even then it’s still not ok to hit. Ok, don’t
just let someone else hit you, though, if you get hit first it’s ok to defend yourself.
Goodness sakes, don’t be a punching bag, but don’t start it. Ok, just don’t hit
people… unless you really have to. Oh yeah, and always help your brother if he’s
being picked on… ”
you’re being picked on, although even then it’s still not ok to hit. Ok, don’t
just let someone else hit you, though, if you get hit first it’s ok to defend yourself.
Goodness sakes, don’t be a punching bag, but don’t start it. Ok, just don’t hit
people… unless you really have to. Oh yeah, and always help your brother if he’s
being picked on… ”
I see how that could be a little confusing, it’s not like I
can straight up tell my kid,
can straight up tell my kid,
“Don’t hit, but if someone puts hands on your brother or you,
KNOCK THEM OUT!”
KNOCK THEM OUT!”
Ugh, It’s a position I hate to be put in. I guess I’ll
continue to let them try and fix their own issues whenever possible. Stepping in now and then with my angry
eyebrows and commanding “mom voice”, gently opening a stern but understanding
can of whoop-ass on small bullies.
continue to let them try and fix their own issues whenever possible. Stepping in now and then with my angry
eyebrows and commanding “mom voice”, gently opening a stern but understanding
can of whoop-ass on small bullies.
Oh the situations we
find ourselves in.
find ourselves in.
Ha! I enjoyed your little explanation to your kids about when it is OK to hit. It is not easy to teach fine lines to a child. I have an inner teacher in me that has no trouble coming out when a child is being mean.
I wish I had that inner teacher haha. My kids always listen to strangers, if someone else's mom says something to them they shape up quick! Other kids I've run into not so much.