- 10:39 AM,
Wednesday, September 12th, 2018:
-
- It's not lost on
me that this is coming directly after the stalker.
I guess it's all connected in how I operate so
it's no surprise I try to pass that down to my
kids, but it's weird seeing it in action. Felt
entry-worthy...
-
- So it's my friend
Marshall's birthday and we're now to a point where the
grown-ups can be grown-ups inside while watching the
kids play outside. Might not seem like much but holy
shit is it a DRASTIC change for us. Their kids are all
several years older so it's more common for them but
it was crazy to me and Talya. Crazy wonderful.
-
- So Cam comes in
looking dejected and says the older boys were too
rough and hurt him (accidentally, but he's 4 - that
matters little). So I simply said: "listen, when you
play with boys that much older than you, you gotta
BRING IT man. You're strong. If they hit you, hit
'em harder."
-
- To a boy who has
been told his WHOLE FUCKING LIFE to not hurt
Vienna, this made his goddamn eyes light up. He goes
outside, we continue being adults inside. Then one of
the older boys comes in crying. I immediately raise my
hand as if to say "Yeah, that's me. I'm sorry." The
kid was fine, but he then stayed inside. At which
point I turn on my camera...
-
-
- Those two minutes
are like... a pretty huge moment in this kid's life.
He's never played with older boys before. I later
went out and explained WHERE to hit and to not hit
their hands - and I certainly don't want him to be a
bully, but I sure as fuck want him to stand up
for himself and have the confidence to do so. Of
course the other two boys were just playing. Ya
know? Like, "hey, little dude... not so serious man -
just fucking around" but to Cam this was EVERYTHING.
These kids were more than twice his age and he was
excited to even be included.
I REMEMBER THAT FEELING. I did NOT
do what Cam did. I stayed inside and pouted when
I wasn't included. So I'm proud of him for just
going for it. I'm also acutely aware of the mentality
this can lead to and teaching Cameron the time and
place for all of this will be of utmost concern now
that I see what's in him. If left unchecked
HE becomes the bully, HE becomes the asshole.
It's a balance for sure.
-
- But at 4? Against
10 year olds? Do that shit little dude.
-
- Adam
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