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Forward and Direct... not always bad traits! :0)
- Jun 26, 2009 at 10:47 PM
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- Comments (12) Total Views (183) Everyone can see this journal post.
My husband called tonight just before I was getting ready to make dinner to let me know that he wasn't sure when he was coming home and to eat with out him.
Mind you- I am grumpy and irritable and did I mention, grumpy? I sure the hell wasn't going to be making tacos, which HE wanted for dinner, for 3 kids that DIDN'T want tacos for dinner. I was not in the mood for entertaining them any further. Thus, we loaded up and I took them to the nearestplay-place. Of course, it was raining out today so it couldn't be the nice park down the road... we had to go to McDonald's. :0)
We eat, I have a puzzle book to bide my time and I let them loose. :0) I was not the only mom with this grand idea.
All
was well for quite some time- Jake met this little boy, ADORABLE little
guy. His baby sister played with them too- and she made me melt. She
was very matter of fact and a bit bossy... but since she didn't speak
much, mostly she was frustrated at the boys. Her skin was as dark as
could be and her hair was braided up into a million little braids- each
one with the cute little ball bands. I kept thinking, her head must
weigh 50 pounds. Her cheeks were about 20 of them! Jake's new friend's
name was Trey (sp?) and they played for over an hour
together. It made me happy to see them so happy together... little boys
are so much fun. I will not soon forget that adorable little baby
girl's face. :0)
There came a point where a much bigger kid (roughly 9?) came high tailin' it around the corner and proceeded to barrel right on up the slide... which at that point, my 2 little boys and this other adorable little fella, along with his sister, were coming down in one big kid pile. This big kid wasn't going to stop on their account, and literally tried climbing OVER the three of them to continue up.
I yelled, "HEY! Don't you climb over those babies!"
He climbed off, turned around and started to walk away. Then, I see him change his mind and he turned to look at me- I met him eye to eye and he glared at me and proceeded to make a fist in my direction.
I
said, "My Lord, Child, are you serious? Where is your mother?" To which,
he ran away. I knew where his mother was, of course, as I tend to
observe things when we get there and as people come and go... knowing
is what makes it safe for my kids to play. :0) She wasn't paying attention and was fixing up her make-up and chatting with another lady. They were there together and had a total of 7 kids with them.
I watch my kids carefully, but I also pass the time by doing word puzzles... it keeps me from getting bored and lets my kiddos play longer. :0) Teaching has given me great practice to "do" one thing while carefully "watch" the kids around me. 6 times this kid walked by me, trying to catch my attention. 3 of those times he actually sat in the chair at the table beside me... sighing and huffing about for me to notice. I pretended that I didn't- which probably upset him more. lol
Finally, his cousin (?) walks by and asks what he is doing... the kid says something quietly to him but I caught the words, "She insulted me."
I laughed out loud... much to their surprise. Without looking up from my puzzle I state, rather matter of factly, "If you had acted appropriately, you wouldn't have been insulted..."
He hisses at me, (yes, hisses) "I don't let people insult me."
So, I put my book down and very steadily look at him and said,
"I'm sorry if your actions were poorly made, but they could have hurt someone. If it embarrasses you to be called out, act appropriately and it won't happen. There are many little children in there playing, and that sign over there (I point to the one that says anyone over 4 feet tall was not allowed) is here to keep you from trampling them. Now, if you play properly- it isn't a big deal. However, if you cause problems, particularly problems involving littler children, it becomes a very big deal. I don't like being mean, but I'll do it without a second thought. Understand me?"
He looked angry for a second, then he said, "sorry."
"Not a problem." Was my reply. :0) and "Thank you."
He ran off and was not a problem again.
The lady next to us, heard the whole thing. She smiled at me and I shrugged. She told me, "I never have the guts to yell at other people's kids..."
I replied, "I've been told that I'm a bit, what's the word... forward- even called, direct."
She laughed and said, "You sound like a teacher..."
I laughed- "My love and passion in life!"
"I bet you're great." Was her response... as she picked up her trash. As she walked away she waved.
In all- I'm not sure which one made my day more... the kid and his apology or the stranger's compliment. :0) Either way, they both remind me to stand firm with who I am. Being forward and direct are not always traits to put on the negative side. lol
Comments:
Oh, my God, ME TOO! I heart you, baby. :)
You should have smacked him in the mouth!!
j/k
You're awesome!
I love you too Carmin. I had to do that myself to an 8 year that was throwing balls at Chris when he was 2 at Chuck E Cheese's. You wish other people would police their children, but if they won't, then someone has to. It is also the teacher in me.
Hopefully, that boy learned a lesson... & learned that being 'insulted' often is a result of his own actions! Well done!,
Dood, that kid was just begging for a boundary. You probably changed the course of his entire life just by telling him "Uh huh, that's not cool, man."
It's funny what kids can consider and 'insult'. I had a girl in a speech class tell me she didn't need to do the assignment her teacher had left for the class because 'It's just for a grade'. I asked her why she came to school, and if it was just to stay out of jail for truancy. She told me that was disrespectful. I offered to let her go early, so she could go inform the principal about my 'disrespect'. She changed her mind and did the work.
Go Carmin. You did him, his mom, and all his teachers a big favor.
Thats my girl!
Yay for YOU!! Good Job!
Good job, lady.
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Love you, Carmin!
- RanaAurora
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