So the last time we went to the pool, I was faced with a problem.  Logan loves the pool, and loves making friends.  If there is a kid about his size that makes eye contact with him, he immediately asks their name and if they want to play.  I love his confidence and willingness to just put himself out there.  It took a couple years for him to do that.  He loves to play with others.  So I saw him latch on to a kid, and they followed each other around the slide, and all the water equipment at this particular pool.  At one point, they both came out of the slide about the same time, clutching their heads.  Logan’s lip was starting form a pout and I called him over to me.  I asked what had happened and found out that he was the one who went right after the other child.  He knows better.  I took him to our towels and let him cry a little bit but I also wanted to remind him of the rules, and reinforce that his pain right then was the reason why there are rules.  So he was fine and went back to playing. 

He lost the little boy he had been playing with earlier, so Logan opted for going down the slide a bunch.  Andrew and I sat at the edge of the pool watching him and enjoying the sun, and pretty soon we saw a larger child walking right past the line of kids to the entrance of the slide.  He did it over and over, at times touching on the shoulder whatever child he wanted to get in front of and saying something to them.  I was contemplating what my role might be in this situation.  And then he did it to my own kid.  Logan turned to look at me pathetically, asking for help without talking.  I didn’t know what to do.  The big kid was already heading down the slide, and I was remembering all the times I was taken advantage of and bullied while growing up.  My heart broke because I knew I was on the other end and it was my job to instill in my child a level of confidence most adults lack.  He came to me after coming down the slide.

Logan said nothing, but I asked him what the other kid had told him.  He was reluctant to tell me.  What to say?  “Logan, if he wants to get in line in front of you and asks, it’s okay for you to let him if you want to.  But if you want your turn and you don’t want to let him in front of you, it’s okay for you to say no.”  Logan has always been so polite and hates to disappoint people.  He nodded, and ran back up the stairs.  I watched again as the kid came up, touched Logan on the shoulder, say something to him, then promptly lunge slightly at Logan and stick his tongue out.  He stood in front of Logan, and the look on my son’s face this time enraged me.  I should have expected the kid would do that.  What a horrible experience for my son, to have stood up for himself and receive no gratification.  When he came over this time, I told him that sometimes people still won’t listen to you but that he should still tell them no. 

I don't know how to navigate this.  I was not ready for this part of parenting.  Well that seems stupid to say.  I've not really been ready for any of it.  The other stuff, however, I knew to expect.  I knew to read some books, or talk to other parents beforehand.  This is the first experience he'll have of many that will break my heart.  He will be on his own to deal with it more than any parent would like.  I was there that time, though.

I didn’t ever say anything to the kid.  I did not go over and talk to his mom when I saw him speaking with her before going back up the slide.  Even when he was still acting that way while she was watching.  I am ashamed of myself and I am afraid I sent my son mixed signals, or that he knows I let him down and will not trust me to protect him.  I was not sure what my place was.  I continue to expect other people to be decent human beings and am constantly thwarted in my thinking.  I know I handled it incorrectly.  I will not allow it to happen again.  I am writing this as an apology to my son, to the other kids on that slide who were taken advantage of, and to the child who was bullying because he has not been taught.  I am writing this as a vow that I will no longer stand by when I see injustice.  As a small addition to my last post, wasn't it such a letdown when you discovered just because someone is full grown, it doesn't make them an adult?  I'm trying.