Appropriate response- child kicked ball at baby

amother

cornflower

Wed, Jun 08 2016, 6:23 pm

Preschooler kicked a ball straight at baby (up a slide- baby was on a low, enclosed jungle gym) on playground. Mother of preschooler had her back turned and was busy with her own baby plus smartphone. What should have been the appropriate response of the parent of the baby at whom the ball was kicked (aside from blocking the ball)? What should have been the appropriate response from the mother of the preschooler?

amother

Seagreen

Wed, Jun 08 2016, 6:38 pm

Depends if it was on purpose or not. If yes, kicker's mom should say, "oy, you hurt that boy. What is going on? [pause, wait for response.] that is a little baby, we need to be very gentle with him." Then she can say sorry to the baby's mom. babys mom should protect her baby. if the other mom takes care of kicker, she need not do anything else. IF kickers mom does NOT confront her son, it is ok for baby's mom to say to the kid, "this is not ok behavior. you need to be gentle with babies." Even a serious look at kicker kid will probably get him to behave