fair play

picture this:
a young girl, maybe 2
at the park
or the mall play area
waiting her turn
patiently
a child steps in front
of her, crowds her
she would oblige them
too nice or shy to speak up
i remember hubs and i
talking about how
to get her to stand up for herself
but not be mean
not be a bully
sometimes a fine line
i remember encouraging her
and feeling so happy for her
when we saw her stand up for herself
picture this:
she is 6
she stands up for herself
she might still be a little shy
but she is shy with a backbone!

Picture this:
a young boy, a firm 4 years old
rambunctious
rough and tumble
like all things active
does not initiate
but will definitely defend himself
likes his personal space
appreciates fairness
he joins a new preschool class
problems arise
that were not there in previous class
using hands
playing rough
being a boy
we rewarded good hands
praised playing nicely
so proud of him
and he so proud of himself
then, one day
jockeying for a ball
he gets bitten
on the face
by a child
whose name comes up often
as a source of conflict
picture this:
the same 4 year old
questioning why
his friend would do that
we talk about right and wrong
what a 'friend' is and is not
he still calls him his friend
more forgiving than i

may the speed bumps in the early years
prepare them with the confidence to climb the mountain later in life