We met that day.
About two weeks ago, I was training a client of mine at her house and J took the Tweedles to the park. When he came and picked me back up, you could tell something was wrong. He just says, "Well...that was an interesting time." GREAT.
J starts the story, and informs me that Nolan met his first bully. The boy was probably 3 (yes, 3!), and about the same size as Nolan, but his speech was a little more developed. The boy's dad and sister were both at the park as well.
It started off pretty tame: Nolan was climbing UP the slide and the boy slid down and knocked him over. #2 cried, Jordan apologized to the dad.
Then, Nolan started climbing up the curved ladder...one like this:
The little boy greeted Nolan at the top, and refused to let him up. He pushed Nolan, not enough to push him off, but to make Nolan cry. The boy's dad took him aside to talk to him, and J went and got Nolan and moved him to another area of the playground, where Nolan could collect acorns and sticks. (This is where Nolan learned how to break a stick on his leg...which made him feel pretty cool).
While they were over collect acorns, the little boy came over for a third time. J thought maybe he wanted to come play; Nolan did too. Instead, the little boy walked right up and pushed Nolan in the face, trying to push him to the ground. J told the little boy "NO" and went to console Nolan.
*** Now, for any mom's out there, we know that this is a part of growing up. But let me just tell you...my blood pressure was HIGH, and I was fiddling with my hands. I am already a protective mama bear, but add in the pregnancy hormone...OH MAN. That kid should be glad I wasn't there.... ***
Let's just say that I am grateful that J was the one there. He pulled Nolan aside and made sure he was okay. He then told Nolan not to let that little boy over by him any more. J said, "If he comes back over here, tell him he cannot play with you and turn around and walk away."
Needless to say, the little boy came BACK. I wasn't there for this part, but I imagine it looking something like this:
Nolan, "NO! You are not allowed to come over and play with me anymore!"
Only, clearly Nolan isn't a 40 year old man with a shaved head, and he had the "Stop" gesture, rather than the finger point...but what I'm describing is not an easy picture to find boys and girls!
All in all, I think J and Nolan handled themselves well in this situation. Do I want it to happen again? Definitely not. Do I think that it will? Yep. And it's just a great reminder that we need to raise our children with the belief that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, the Lord knows each of us intimately, and that He has plans for each of us...one of future and of hope.
