Meow!!!
You are still around?! Where you now? I go find you. Go smack your boy's boy's bottom. Noti noti.... too comfortable inside already izzit?
Poohy,
Sorry to hear what happened to Samuel. Did doc tell you how did he caught this viral infection? So heart pain for our toddlers to go through such illnesses. When Joeson got infected by his cousin and fell ill. I already can't sleep for so many days.
Mummies,
Just something from ST Forum online to share...some parents can get really ridiculous!
Toddlers in fight: Story of two outraged mums
ON SUNDAY, May 6, my 32-month-old toddler, in his excitement to look at a toy display, pushed aside an 18-month-old girl (let's call her Little Miss) at the toy department of Takashimaya. She lost her balance and landed on her bottom.
Immediately, before I could intervene, the mother of Little Miss smacked my son on his arm (hard enough to leave a handprint that lasted half an hour) and shouted at him: 'How can you push my baby?'
Lots of angry shouting from both sets of parents ensued. My son continued crying for almost an hour (and still continues to have disturbed sleep to this day) while Little Miss looked on with wide-eyed innocence. The situation got more and more heated and the police were called.
In the end, as is the way in Singapore, we reached a non-violent (I cannot even say amicable) conclusion in the presence of the authorities, with the mother of Little Miss apologising to my son and my son apologising to Little Miss.
The exercise was more political than anything because my son had to be coaxed (already too distraught to comprehend why he owed Little Miss an apology), and the parents of Little Miss were still adamant that they hadn't done anything wrong. Their opinion was that Little Miss was bullied by a bigger, older child and it was their right to defend her, clearly with whatever means.
My questions/issues:
Culpability of a child: If a toddler could be made answerable for his actions, wouldn't legislation already allow you to take a three-year-old to court?
Perpetuating the 'Bully' behaviour: Does not the action of Little Miss' mother further demonstrate to her that retaliation and the advantage of physical size will always win out? Will my son also learn that lesson from a complete stranger? If it is the right way to violently defend our children against the perceived bully actions, is it then my right to physically assault the mother of Little Miss?
Emotional restraint: If, in this world, we cannot even practise restraint against a child, it is no wonder we are surrounded by increasing violence and intolerance.
We are our children's first role models and our belief systems frequently eventually become theirs. It is likely, in the situation above, my 'terrible' toddler would have earned a very stern word from me (which has so far been enough to correct errant behaviour), delivered a real apology to Little Miss and issued an invitation to play together. But now I will never be able to prove that because that opportunity was taken away from me.
My husband and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff of Takashimaya for their kind support and also Mr and Mrs Roy who were present on the day, and who offered to present their stories as objective witnesses to the police.
Ms Maxine Loh
If anyone dare hit my Joeson just like that, I will 'mei wan mei liao' with her. Kaoz..... Parents are getting too protective nowadays....
