Violence Isn't the Answer...Or Is It?

Sadie has been begging to go play at McDonald's for a long time and I always tell her no. Well, today things worked out that we could fit it in right after preschool. (I am not so excited about the processed food, but the energy expenditure is a great thing for Sadie.) So, off to the McDonald's we went.

Sadie was really excited to be there. And, even more, she was really excited that there were so many kids!!! I was happy that she was happy and that she was using up some of that endless energy. She ate and then went to play. She had been playing for about 20 mins when blood-curdling screams started coming from the top of the slide. It was Sadie. I would know her screams from anywhere. I could see her in the window, but there was no way for me to get to her. She was in a little chamber room at the top of the slide and there were 3 or 4 other girls up there pushing her, hitting her, pinching her face and pulling her hair. Every time she tried to go down the slide one of the girls would block her or push her. Now, granted, I am sure Sadie had some part in starting this little cat fight, but she quickly became outnumbered and the target of bullying.

I went to the bottom of the slide and started calling for Sadie to come down - but she couldn't. We were not being quite. I was yelling for Sadie to come down. She was SCREAMING because she was getting hurt. Moms all around the playground were staring. But, those little girls' moms did nothing. Didn't come over to tell them to stop. Didn't come over to administer a punishment. I don't even think they thought anything was wrong.

Sadie finally got out and we left the McDonald's with her in tears. This was not the outing I had planned. All I wanted was for Sadie to have a little fun, but instead she got bullied.

When we got home we had a little talk about what to do when she gets into these situations. I told her she just needed to ignore those kids and walk away as quickly as possible. But that's not what I wanted to tell her. I wanted to tell her to push those girls right back. And while she was at it, maybe teach her how to throw a mean right hook. Seriously, I couldn't decide who I wanted to punch more - the kids or their moms. I mean, if it would have been Sadie up there hitting, pinching and pushing, I can tell you Sadie's McDondald's days would have been done for and, in the very least, an apology would have been issued. I realize I may be overreacting, but I could not believe that the other moms did nothing.  But, score one point to me, I managed to get out of the building without actually hitting anybody.

Kids can be seriously harsh. This is one of my biggest fears as I let Sadie venture into the world of school and friends; into a world where people won't love her as unconditionally as I do...maybe, not even like her. I am not always going to be there to protect her and she probably isn't going to always tell me what is happening. It freaks me out. How do I protect her? And when I can't protect her anymore, how do I teach her how to handle those kinds of situations in an appropriate way?

Bullying has become such a major issue these days with serious consequences. So, how much should a parent step in? Where is the line between teaching your kids how to handle a situation on their own and stepping in to protect your kids when they can't protect themselves? I read an article the other day that talked about parent's letting their kids as young as 4 years old get plastic surgery to avoid bullying. When I heard that I thought it was totally ridiculous. That was until the little girl next door started laughing at Sadie because "her ears stick out really far. That is funny!" Not that I would ever give Sadie plastic surgery, but it made me sad that Sadie was getting made of fun for that. I, sort of, came to understand why a parent might make that choice.

On the other hand, I watched a video on YouTube in which a teenage boy sobs uncontrollably as he details how he doesn't think he can bare anymore bullying and he will end his life soon. The boy made that video himself. Who knows if his parents even realize how much pain he is in.

Still, there is one more side to the story. I remember a couple of times when I was growing up when a couple of parents called my mom in a hissy fit over something I had allegedly done to their child. In my recollection I hadn't even done what I was being accused of and yet these parents were making a huge issue of the situation and stepping in to defend their children. I don't ever want to be that parent. My life is stressful enough. I don't need to add childhood arguments to the list.

Luckily, kids seem to be pretty resilient. Once Sadie calmed down she went on with her afternoon like nothing had happened. Hopefully her ability to move on gives me some time to figure out how I am going to parent her through the childhood mine field of teasing and bullying. Until then, be careful about being mean to Sadie. I might have just decided to teach her how to punch you in the face.

Love Note to a Stranger

Yesterday was Valentine's day and I thought it might be nice to text my family and tell them I love them. So I typed up the following silly little note (silly, because who takes Valentine's day seriously except 15 year old girls?)

"I lovers you! Happy v day! I hope you get a big smooch from someone nice."

I was quite shocked when, almost immediately, my brother in law responded with "S#@*," then, "who is this?"

I wrote back "Lisa" but in my mind I was all like, "This is the last time I try to send a nice sentiment. Whatever!"

I was expecting an "lol" and a "happy v day to you too lisa" But no. Silence on his end. Then it dawned on me that my brother- and sister-in-law recently moved and probably changed their cell phone numbers. Oh my gosh! So Embarrassing! So I texted back really quick "sorry wrong number."

My text message stranger resplied: "I was gonna say I have no idea who you are, but after a text like that I should get to know you."

Ryan and I had a good chuckle and then I secretly started praying this is my dumbest blonde moment of the year.

Valentine's Day Treats

I signed up to bring cupcakes for Sadie's Preschool class. I may be crazy...or bored...or both. Yeah, I think I am going to go with crazy. But they are oh so delish!

Swirled white cake with strawberry cake

Extra strawberryie in the middle = extra deliciousness

1/2 with cream cheese frosting and red sprinkles

the other half with strawberry frosting and pink sprinkles

And still some with colorful heart sprinkles ... these are for preschool, after all

Happy Valentine's Day to all our lovies out there!

Snowpocalypse 2012

Oh, what do you do on a snowy day, when all the world is white?

Do you work on GenTax?

Or, build a fort to relax...

... And watch some Tinkerbell?

Do you play a board game?

Or, first place claim, in a obstacle course contest?

Do you get your craft on, with some scissors and glue?

Or, go out in the snow and hope your lips don't turn blue?

Do you paint the snow red?

Or, take a ride in a laundry basket sled?

Do you throw snow in Dad's face?

Or, just lay still in one place and watch the snow flakes fall?

Do you make pizza for dinner?

Or, talk about winter, and how it will never be over??????

Is that what you do?

So, do we!


15 inches in our drive.