My poor Em had her first taste of the real world today. We were at a play area where she usually knows most of the kids and runs around like a maniac. Today though, there were two other little girls there that she didn't know, so she just hung back with me while I fed Jax. After several minutes of watching her quietly watch the girls longingly, (seriously, she looked like a puppy waiting to be taken home from the pet store) I suggested that she go introduce herself. That was all the prompting it took for her to walk over.
And then I watched her get shot down.
Crash. And. Burn.
One of the girls said, "No! We're playing," and proceeded to push her away.
She stood there for a moment looking like she was going to burst into tears, and then walked back to me.
Curses! She's only two! Isn't it a little early to deal with playground bullies?? I mean, I'm used to the not sharing or throwing fits about some perceived playground injustice (where she's often the culprit), but to see my kid being left out and knowing that she felt the sting of it just broke my heart.
She sat quietly next to me and continued to watch the girls. Then her daddy came to see us, expecting to hear her jovial, "Daddy!" followed by a big hug, but instead he got an embarrassed look while she just sat. And then decided to try again. And was rejected again.
Dangit.
Aah well. Such is life. I guess two's old enough to learn to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and keep going. I think she'll survive to play another day. Hopefully, there was a lesson learned too. We talked about it on the way home, and I reminded her to remember what if felt like and that she needs to include everyone when she's playing. Except from what I remember about child development, she's not really in the empathy stage yet. Stink. Regardless of her ability to empathize, she is old enough to know right from wrong. I hope when she finds herself on the other side of the situation, she's able to make the right choice.
3 comments:
When Cale was two, I had one of my friends bring her children over. One was older, one younger. They blocked Cale out of his own playroom and when he tried to join them, they said "we dont wanna play with you!!" I almost burst into tears. Fortunately he got past it pretty quickly, but now, at 3 1/2 when kids are mean (like when another 3 year old told him he wasn't a boy)...he remembers. And his memory is like an elephants. He reminds me often of the incident.
Poor Em!! But hopefully she'll remember your lesson. :)
ahhhhh. that would seriously break my heart too :( i tell nick all the time how i'm going to cry the first time kids are mean to bella. kel, you are SUCH a good mama!!!
I remember when you were little Alicia and Colleen wouldn't play with you. You were devastated. I wanted to wring their little necks! Instead, we prayed for them. And a little while later you were all friends again. I'm guessing you don't remember this. Emma will recover as well. You'll remember it long after she has totally forgotten it. The joys of motherhood.......and...it doesn't get easier.....bigger kids...bigger heartaches....but bigger joys as well....keep those grandkids coming! Love you, MOM
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