Today Little Bug walked up to watch a child at the children's museum play with an activity. He gently reached out to touch the toy boat and the child, who could not have been more than 4 himself, swatted his hand away and yelled "No. You are a bad boy."
Oh hell no.
In the back of my head, my mama bear roared, but out of my mouth came a smiling, sweet, quiet mama voice that cooed "Oh, he isn't a bad boy. He is a good boy."
Because he is, and he was being a good boy.
The kid's response was an even more aggressive "NO. He is a BAD boy."
H.E.L.L N.O. Did I mention his mother was sitting right.next.to.him and never so much as flinched. What do you do with that?
At that point, I was done. I calmly repeated that he is a good boy and told Little Bug we were moving on to another activity. I kept a calm, smiling face at all times.
And that mother had the NERVE to glare at ME as we walked away.
As I later recounted the tale to Appa, he asked if I said something to the horrible mom. And the fact is, I didn't. Here's why:
I try to use social interactions to teach my kids how to act, like we all do. In this case, my only concern was for Little Bug. I wanted him to know he was not a bad boy, and everything I said to that little boy reinforced that to Little Bug. He isn't a bad boy, and it isn't acceptable for anyone to call him that. But I wasn't going to say anything to the mom because I don't want Little Bug to learn that escalating a problem is a good idea. She didn't say anything to me, so me saying something to her would have been an offensive move. I want Little Bug to feel comfortable and calm enough to remove himself from a situation if he needs to.
But most of all, I don't give a crap about that mom or her kid. It's not my job to teach her kid manners or to teach her how to raise a child to not grow up as an @hole that no one likes. It is my job to teach my son how to be confident in himself and his ability to protect himself when he has to interact with said @holes.
I am his teacher and I reserve myself for him and him alone, and that is her and her son's loss.
PS: Screw you, lady.
Great post Cori....there are some pretty lame people out there and it is a fine line as to when to school them and when to walk away. Nicely played since this lady sounds like she wouldn't have even understood it if you would have said something. Screw you lady sounds just about right.
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