Peer Resolution

Little kids can be nasty and cruel. You are not an exception to this. I witnessed you hit a friend's little boy who's half your age in the head with this hard plastic toy. He'll be spending all day Friday with us while his parents are at work... so I'm going to have to watch you very carefully. I don't think you were being intentionally cruel but you were frustrated this blob of a person was not engaging in your play attempts. I am not sure when the transition will be made from non-intentional to intentional. I would be lying if I said I didn't worry about how other people, especially peers will treat you. I was not the most popular kid and there were times I was picked on. I was such a sensitive kid, it really bothered me. Your father remembers rarely being picked on but, he said when it did occur, it never really bothered him. Two ends of the spectrum. I think you might have inherited your father's attitude on peer relations.



There was a little girl at the library last week. We went too late for our play group and the older 3 & 4 year old were just getting out. You were playing with the many toys provided in the "Westminster Station" children's section. It was recently re-done to be a train station and there is a giant caboose with toys inside and a giant engine that kids can "drive" and play in. There you are in the caboose playing with the many toys and this bossy little 4 year old comes up and pushes you out of the way and says "no! you're not doing it right!" I waited for your reaction. Being that laid back kid, you simply moved on the next toy. She promptly pushed you again and took over that toy. This time you looked at her. I could almost see your little brain working to deduct what would happen next. Finally you grab the next toy in line, she pushed you as you had thought. Next thing I know you go into overdrive and start touching each toy quickly and you hop from one toy to the next. The bossy little girl couldn't keep up, she kept trying to say "no! you're not doing it right!" but couldn't get through the phrase before you moved onto the next toy. The little girl was almost in apoplexy. She went nuts trying to keep up with your maniac behavior. Suddenly you collapse to the ground laughing hysterically. This made the little girl laugh and your own mother who was holding her breath in anticipation also crack a smile. You were able to diffuse the entire situation. I found it incredible that your able to discern what was going on and find a solution that didn't hurt anyone.



Maybe I am looking into this too deeply. But you are definitely a laid back goofy kid who enjoys a good laugh. I hope you keep this trait because it's an awesome way to resolve the many peer conflicts you will encounter.