Let's Toughen Em Up

I was watching my neighbor's two children one time and as she was leaving, she said "This is so good for Nathanial to be around my kids. It will toughen him up."

I have been thinking about that as I sit here and have come to the conclusion that actually, it was good for HER kids, it had gentled them. At least for a couple of hours. I did have to lay down some ground rules. Instead of thinking of how mean they were, I thought of them as just beginners in the world of gentle friendship. They had to learn that hitting, pinching, pulling, yanking, yelling and trying to smother someone with your body was not the best way to play with someone.

These were really nice children in every other respect. They were brought up well loved and well taken care of. They were allowed however, by the simple innatentiveness of their busy parents, to fight for their heirarchy in the family.

It took more than once for me to get down and say "everyone, give each other some space" "no __________"(fill in various physical contact)

This afternoon, while talking about it with my parents, they concluded that it WAS good for my boys to experience this and they needed to get roughed up...!!!!!

I sigh and continue to express my *no hitting* and *let each other have space* rules. Sheesh, I really dont think that teaching a child to hit someone if they disagree is the best way to create a listening, attentive adult.

Hey, I could be wrong, but I dont think I will change...

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