Play Ground Bullies

Side note: I wrote this blog yesterday, but took a day to decide to post it. A few things are edited.

Yes, you read the title right. My child is only 14 Months and I am already writing about bullies.

This was our first experience with a "bully." I don't even want to call her that because she was only about three. I don't blame her. I feel sorry for her.

Sadie was playing on the play ground today yesterday at Forsyth Park. We always play after I finish my workout with Stroller Strong Moms. There is a group of us that let the babies stay and play to burn some energy before nap time. Most the kids in our group are within 6 months from each other, Sadie being one of the youngest that actually plays on the play set. It was while Sadie was playing on one of the platforms that this adorable little (about) three year old girl stands up from the bench, takes two hands and shoves Sadie down. Sadie looked up at her with big round eyes and started crying.

I immediately grabbed Sadie and looked around. I didn't know this girl, so I had no right to scold her. But there was no parent to do so either. I took Sadie to the swings and let her swing it off and calm her nerves.

Now, I want to say right here, that I am not an overprotective mom. At least, I hope I am not. Sadie has gotten shoved down accidentally at the park before and I always tell her to stand back up. I want her to build strength and confidence to stand up for herself. I grew up with two older brothers, so I know how it feels to get picked on all the time. I want her to be able to hold her own.

Once Sadie had enough of the swing, we walked back over to where my other Mama friends were playing with their kids. I mentioned for them to keep an eye out that there was a little girl that had pushed Sadie down. Apparently, she wasn't the only one. Each Mama, four or five of them, had a similar scenario that happened to their child within this oh, I don't know, 30 minute time frame. This was ridiculous. Why was this child's parent not stopping this?

Ten minutes later, we were playing in the same area on the play set and I see the little girl near Sadie again. I tried to call Sadie to come to me before anything happened, but it was too late. The little girl took two hands and shoved Sadie on her bottom again. At this point, my blood was boiling. I told the little girl "That's not nice, please don't push her," and picked up Sadie as she started to cry. Finally, a Mom appears! Either she just now saw that her child was shoving or my reaction to it finally made her react. She made her little girl apologize.

Whatever her reason for reacting this time, I feel bad for the little girl. I feel bad that she feels the need to push these kids that are smaller than her. I feel bad that her mother, after scolding her, walked back over to the bench and got her phone back out while talking to a friend. The little girl isn't the real bully here; it's her mom. I pray that this was an unusual day for that family. That the mom had a lot going on and was venting to her friend. I pray that she isn't always sitting idly on the sidelines talking on her phone while this little girl pushes other children around. This is how we end up with bullies, because no one teaches them it isn't right.

Maybe it is that my blood was boiling that got me to write this post. Or maybe it's that protective Mama Bear in me that hated seeing my child get hurt. Sadie was okay, at least physically. She was a little shocked emotionally, but I hope she learned from it. I hope Sadie learns that not all kids play nice. That sometimes you do get knocked down and we just get right back up. It may have been the first time, but I know it's not the last. I'm sure one day, Sadie will push someone down, but the minute that happens, there will be a consequence. I hope to be able to teach Sadie that pushing is not acceptable.

Correct me if I'm crazy. What would you have done in my situation?