Dear playground rug rats,
I know you are young; I’m guessing 6 years old, maybe 7. But I really didn’t need you to teach my three year old son to call girls “poopy butts” and “booty heads”. There were probably a few other things as well, but that’s all my ears were able to pick up as you all went running by.
I felt like some mean mommy as I called out to my son, telling him that you all weren’t being very nice and he was not to repeat those things. He didn’t understand really. He just wanted to copy you and be a big boy.
I’m sure some older kid taught you as well, but I would have preferred you shield my son from the ugliness that so easily sneaks its way into childhood.
The girls heard you. They told me that you all called them “stupid girls” and said they were ugly.
I don’t think your mom heard you. I mean, she must not have as she surely would have stopped and reprimanded you. But I heard you. You know I did as my eyes narrowed at you the next time you opened your mouth. You have a little sister after all. And while there will be moments in your life that you might think she is stupid, annoying and the like. I pray that those times are far less than the times you play together, love on one another and enjoy each others company.
I’m not naive. I know my son is going to learn potty words and will do his fair share of name calling. I know there will come a day where I’ll overhear him say far worse things. An f-bomb (or a hundred) are certainly in our future.
But that’s just the point. In our future. I’m not ready for that yet. I wanted just a little bit longer to enjoy his innocence, his untarnished, untainted silly demeanor. I want him to be my sweet boy for as long as he can.
And when the day comes that he fights back, calls names and says inappropriate things, there will be consequences.
What you said isn’t nice. It’s mean. And I guarantee you don’t want to be on a receiving end. I hope you learn that soon.
Sincerely,
A Mama Who Is Clinging to Her Baby Boy
Ah, it’s as if I could have written this. It makes me so sad to know that some of our innocent ones can’t stay that way because of what they learn in passing from other kids they ‘think’ they admire and want to be just like. He’s such a sweet one. I have one just a bit older and I cling to him as well.
yeah, it’s so depressing, isn’t it? they learn so young.
It really is amazing how young it starts. You go ahead and shield that boy, mom.
Yeah, that’s crazy! I would have had a talk with their moms about appropriate playground vocabulary.
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