This would be Bear’s second kiddy birthday party ever. The first he was around 2, stayed with me all the while. But today he keenly sat with the other kids to watch the storyteller narrate a tale. He also excitedly received a balloon sword and played swordfighting with several kids, primarily with a 6 year old boy who he managed to disarm. 
I was proud that he wasn’t afraid and didn’t even stand down when the older boy returned with help to defeat him, lobbied a few other smaller boys including the birthday boy, to help, but the smaller boys all decided to tackle him instead. Later the boy even brought an older girl to help him and the two older kids were carrying balloon swords attacking Bear. He held his own.
Bear fought bravely but his Dad and I stepped in to intervene when they abandoned their swords and started to use their fists (but never hit him… yet). I don’t think the kids were being mean, maybe got carried away by the game. But the sight of two 6 year old kids getting ready to punch my kid was hair-raising.
Bear was still enthused and told me, “Mama, I wanna fight.” I told him he was brave and good to not hit anyone but once the other kid didn’t want to play anymore it was time to stop. He understood, and thankfully didn’t seem perturbed that the older boy was upset at being defeated by him that he actually employed help to beat him.
At school this will probably happen. I am glad my son will not be bullied and it is my job to teach him to know his strength and never to be a bully.
Mephala is a strange and rather interesting 
August 16th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Ah… I always worry about this one. So far Gavin’s pretty passive. He generally walks away from a fight and doesn’t really engage. For a boy he seems rather tame. Don’t really know whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
August 17th, 2009 at 2:16 am
Yes, it is worrying. I know it is only play but that is when kids can get a bit carried away. I guess all we parents can do is do our best to give our kids security and confidence and then keep an eye on them to make sure they can handle themselves.
Jack’s had his share of kids pushing him or telling him to go away, but he seems to handle it with aplomb, just turning away and going to do something else. Same as Gavin does.