To the Lady Whose Child Spat at My Daughter and My Niece
As my daughter and my niece got changed into their costumes on Looe Beach yesterday, your son was running around on the steps which we had chosen to sit on. Suddenly, he ran past the girls, said something in French and then spat at both of them. I saw it happen and, as he ran off, I tried to shout at him to tell him off. I wasn’t quick enough so Ross and I kept our eyes open and watched to see where he went and who his parents were.
He ran to you and, as he did so, I approached you – with some trepidation – to tell you what had happened. These days you don’t quite know what to expect. Would I get a mouthful of abuse as you protested that your son could do no wrong? Would I get a shrug of the shoulders and a non-plus response? Or would you believe what I had told you, and deal with your son?
I came out and explained that your son had spat at my girls. At first you were not quite sure what I was saying and then, you understood. You were extremely apologetic. I was relieved and said that I thought you should know as I would have wanted you to do this had it been the other way around.
I could see you were struggling with your energetic, I would guess 3 year old, boy – so left you to deal with him and returned to my family. Then, 5 minutes later, you approached us. When you reached us, you were trying to get your son to apologise to the girls. He had a very cheeky look on his face and was struggling to run away again as you held his wrist. Your expression was one of utter exasperation. I remember that feeling so well. You just said ‘Boys!’ and I understood exactly what you meant. As you walked away, you probably didn’t hear Ross and I congratulate you for trying to make him apologise. You were too busy making sure he didn’t run off again!
For most of the rest of our time on the beach, you were set out just in front of us but (I could see you had probably just wanted to sit and relax and enjoy the little sunshine that this country gets) you were running after your boy, constantly trying to make sure that he was safe and didn’t get into any mischief. I sat back empathising with you the whole time.
I walked into town at lunchtime to collect our family a pasty each. I was pleased to have some ‘me’ time as Ross watched the girls. On my return, you were coming towards me in the other direction with your son. Once again he was being a little trouble-maker, running around and climbing up walls with you chasing after him.
As I reached you, you were once again holding his hand. I needed to say something to you, to tell you that it was alright and that you were doing a good job – so I did. I touched you on the shoulder and I told you that you are a great mum. Because you are. You didn’t let your son get away with it and think that it was ‘OK’ to spit at others. You parented him properly – despite the fact that you were probably totally exhausted from running around after him by that point. You took responsibility for his actions and made sure that he did the same. I also think that you needed some support and encouragement because, who knows what else you had been through that day.
Parenting is hard work and making sure that your child turns into a decent human being and takes responsibility for their actions isn’t an easy job but you are doing a fine one and I am sure that you will see to it that your son becomes the man you hope he will be one day – thanks to you.
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2016 Victoria Welton
It’s certainly true that we all struggle and we don’t know what sort of a day each other has had. It often just takes a moment of solidarity like this Vicky…
Absolutely. Thanks Carol x
Great post. We had something very similar happen at a Festival.
Thanks 🙂 I hope it was resolved as easily.
She sounds like a great mum. Yes, we all struggle to be good parents. That we are trying our best is what matters.
She definitely was/is. Absolutely x
It’s so nice to read something so supportive. There’s been a lot of parents bashing other parents recently. So it’s just so uplifting to read a real life situation about kids being their oh so delightful selves and two sets of parents dealing with the situation as everyone should. With respect. Politely. Like adults. And actuality being supportive. Xx
Absolutely Briony – parents are so quick to criticise others before thinking how they would feel in that position. Thanks so much for reading and for your comment x
You lady, are wonderful xxx
Aww, thanks Amy 🙂 x
Really love this. It is hard to go over and tell another parent that their child has done wrong and for her sake I am so glad you spoke to her a second time too. You are just the loveliest xx
Thank you so much Katie. It isn’t easy approaching other parents but I would definitely want someone to do this for me if Grace did something she shouldn’t have xx
Aww that is so nice. Parenting is so hard. I bet that mum was so pleased. You could have shouted at him
Or her. Many other parents may not have been so calm. Lovely story in the end
Thank you so much x
nice to read that and glad you got a positive response. I feel for her as that sounds just like Minky, a monster in the making no matter what my daughter does with him.
Thank you Elaine. Some kids are such hard work! x
What a lovely post. Well done to you for speaking up! It’s horrible that the boy spat at the girls, but I’m glad this all turned out so positively and you were so understanding of the mum and what she was going through. x
Thanks Sarah. It is so important not to jump to conclusions x
I would probably be too scared to approach another parent. You’re right you don’t know what reaction you are going to get.
Good on you for being so kind and thoughtful to tell the lady she’s doing a great job. It sounds like she was trying her best x
Thanks so much Kim – I think it was important to give her some support x
You were brave to approach the parents, but it was right that you did. I had a similar situation recently, and, like you, I was unsure how the parents would react. However, they too were horrified to hear of the misdemeanor and keen to put it right, so I was glad I mentioned it, as I would also want to know and be able to put it right if the situation was reversed.
I totally agree with you Lucy x