Unless there is abuse, I see different parenting methods as just that. Different methods. Maybe not for me but maybe for them.
So at the pool the other day I saw a mom with three young boys, ranging from say 6 months to 5 years. She was 'playing' with them in the shallow portion of the pool. 'Playing' for this mom consisted of kicking (yes, kicking) her oldest in the stomach so he fell back in the shallow water falling completely in. He came out coughing from air he swallowed. She stopped, asking if he was OK. He nodded so she did it again. And this time, when he came out coughing, she laughed. Then she threw one of those balls soaked with water to her middle son, well not threw, more whipped it at his chest. Once again, fell over. And more laughter.
I turned to some life guards. The teenage boys were watching the mom with their mouths dropped open.
Then she sat back down with the baby she was holding the entire time and let the boys play. Please note, the baby never even touched the water or got splashed--both mom and brothers were very gentle and sweet to the little guy (he was very cute!).
I am still not sure what to think. I know my husband has bugged me about handling my kids, especially the boys, with kitten gloves. I am just not the 'rough house' type. I could never imagine doing this with my kids.
So I'm wondering. Is this normal? I mean they all seemed to happy and laughing (when not coughing). Am I just too 'soft'?
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5 comments:
Causing physical injury can never be a good thing...right?! I don't think any of my 3 boys would think that was funny. Sounds like that kind of laugh some people do when they are scared.
On the other hand, my oldest turned 9 this month and I do expect him to be tougher than the younger ones, and I have babied all of mine most of their lives.
I think your boys are still young. Don't worry - when they get old enough they will be rough with each other and you won't have to teach them how to do it!
Sounds like that mom was maybe going a little bit too far, but who knows in that family? If the kids weren't crying or being ignored, then maybe the mom really understood the limit of how far she should take the "playing".
???
NOT normal at all. She's just teaching her boys to do that to someone else. Someone can really get hurt with that type of 'rough house'.
Ummmm, I would have to say a big NO...I don't think that is normal...but I guess if it works for them...????? I don't think either of my boys would appreciate that too much...I would've loved to have seen your face while this was going on :) hee hee!!!!
Yikes, not normal to me. People are rather odd in their parenting styles, especially when it comes to rough housing.
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