Last week, we invited one of Baby J’s friends from gan over to our house for a playdate on Shabbat afternoon. It was a great idea as the girls play really nicely together, they live close by, and I’m friends with the Mommy. I was really looking forward to our get together, especially since I knew that Baby J. would be excited about having a friend to play with. Typically though, we would try to take Baby J. out to the park on Shabbat afternoon, especially now that the days are getting much longer, but with the cold and rainy weather the park hasn’t been an option for a number of weeks.
Sure enough, when Baby J. saw her friend at the front door, she squealed with delight and the two girls went off to play. I decided to set her little table with snacks for the two and put out two bowls with some clementine, potato sticks and a cookie each. The girls also each got their own sippy cups as well. Baby J. sat down in her red chair while her friend chose the white chair next to her. As toddlers are wont to do, they didn’t stay at the table long, and basically picked at the snack and then were off to the next toy to play with.
For the most part, the play date went well. There were a couple of flare ups, which is to be expected when a favorite toy is coveted by another child, but the Mommies were available to intercede and help the girls come to terms with how to share the toys.
I had read up on play dates a couple of months ago and remembered the importance of letting the host child know that, while these toys are definitely still hers, it is okay to let her friend play with them for a bit. The friend is not going to leave with her toys and that it’s okay to share. I felt pretty proud of myself when I talked Baby J. into letting her friend either sit in her favorite rocking dog or play with one of her favorite balls.
The Mommy and I were able to really chat, which is so nice and rare for me these days. And, with DH hidden behind the bedroom door so we could have some “girl time,” I was feeling really good about the play date.
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I see that Baby J. is sitting down in the white chair at the table. Her friend saw that too and quickly ran over to claim her chair at the table. The pushing and shoving began and I watched for merely a second until I decided to say something. I didn’t want the girls to hurt each other over a chair, but I was also curious to see how the shoving match would play out.
Sure enough, as soon as I called out, Baby J. moved aside so her friend could slide into the seat. She started crying with frustration and I explained that her plate of food was next to her red chair. I asked if she wanted to sit in her red chair since her friend was sitting in the white chair and, tearfully, she went back to her place and they resumed their snacks.
It was such a minor incident in the play date, and yet I can’t stop thinking about how it all played out. While I do not condone hitting, pushing, shoving, biting, etc., I wondered who would have won that wrestling match had I not said something? Did Baby J. give up simply because she heard my voice or did she give up because the other girl over powered her? If I’m using this incident as a base line, does this mean that my child is going to be a push over? Is she always going to be the one crying in frustrating on the side because a more dominant child took away her toy, pushed her aside to get to the water fountain, shoved her out of the way to take a seat at the table, etc.?
I mentioned my thoughts to DH last night and he immediately blamed my upbringing. I grew up in a home with a Father whose motto was always: “fight back.” It was awfully confusing as a child, as my Mother would tell us that if we don’t like something another child was doing, we should simply tell the teacher/parent/care giver instead of hitting. My Father, however, had a different agenda. He didn’t believe in raising “wussies” for kids and we were instructed that, should another child hit us first, we had the right to hit them back (and were encouraged to do so!). If we instead ran crying to the teacher, we were weak, and would be perceived as weak by the other kids and we would be destined to be bullied forever. (Side note, my Father was born in Israel, my Mother born in America.)
Sigh. So, here I am as a Mother, torn between wanting my child to be able to stick up for herself but certainly not wanting her to resort to violence to get what she wants. DH pointed out that our daughter has definitely held on to toys when kids tried to take them away from her, and I’ve witnessed it myself while we were at gan a couple of times. She definitely knows how to hang on to what she is already playing with, but is that enough? I’m not there during the days so I don’t know, is she the child running to the gannenet crying every time another child takes something away from her?
Now add to all this the fact that we live in Israel, where children are bred for lives in the Army, and weakness is not tolerated while dominance is valued. I’m not ready for her to go out for Golani before she’s toilet trained, but I need to make sure she has the necessary tools to interact with Israeli children, in Israeli society, with Israeli culture and the rules that go with all of that. Is it a detriment to her that I’m an American Mother, bringing my American values into our home, trying to raise her as I would living in the States?
So that’s my Mommy dilemma for the day. Have you noticed how your child interacts with other children? Is your toddler the kid who pushes and shoves their way to what they want, or is she/he the one left crying in frustration on the side? Comment below!
midlifesinglemum says
I hope you don’t mind me disclosing that I am the mother of the other child. I guess every mother has different challenges. You want Baby J to be assertive enough to survive while I see that DD has no problem asserting herself, but hope I can teach her to be a bit more sensitive to what other people want. On the other hand, at times and with gentle guidance, we saw that the girls are learning to share. It’s a process…watch this space!
holylandhipstermom says
If you don’t mind, neither do I 🙂
mamamia says
I grew up in Germany and am now raising my child here in Israel. I kind of understand what you mean (even though my cultural background is different than yours and I didn’t have an Israeli father). But I think that growing up in a mixed culture home is an amazing chance to actually get the best of both cultures. Not that it’s easy, it comes with struggles… I witness that in many teenagers around us (kids of friends and from youth group that have American parents). The truth is that in a culture like Israel where people are tough, a person who is not equally tough but knows a different way and is confident in who s/he is, is most valuable. I experience this every time I am polite and friendly to a kupa’it who was dealing all day long with Israeli chuzpah. If you can raise your baby to be a confident, strong, loving and considering adult she will be a most precious jewel among the Israelis. The Israeli army is a tough thing especially for the girls, but I’ve seen girls (especially one who also has an American mother) succeed in the army without sacrificing the beautiful personality and character she is. She was very successful without becoming a rude, violent man-like female. By the time she entered the army she already knew what her beliefs and values are. She grew up in a stable family with very clear values, that often are not reflecting Israeli main stream. I think much of the violent and rude behavior in Israel is coming out of a feeling of insecurity and there are not many good role models for a different way either. Your daughter may become one.
holylandhipstermom says
Thank you for your comment, it was truly inspiring!
Rivki @ Life in the Married Lane says
I remember my parents going through this with my brother. They had told him “don’t fight,” which he interpreted as “don’t fight EVER,” and consequently was bullied a bit (until he grew to be 6’4”, and now no one ever bothers him!). I am also very non-confrontational, but since I live in the states, I guess it’s less of an issue.
Mamamia’s comment is beautiful. I think if you instill a sense of confidence and strength in your children, they will not need to be pushy or rude to assert themselves. Strength comes in many different forms. If she is holding onto toys and not relinquishing her turn, I think that’s already great! My toddler isn’t there yet.
How was your husband raised? What’s his take?
holylandhipstermom says
He was raised in Israel by Anglo parents and was a very shy child who was often bullied. We both agree that we hope our children can learn to be assertive without being hard, abrasive or rude, and we made it a priority to make sure to stay as involved as possible. Hopefully, our children will have different experiences than us.
holylandhipstermom says
Oh, and my brother had the same thing happen to him! He was tiny and bullied until he hit the 12th grade when he suddenly shot up to 6’3″ and was never picked on ever again!