I am a very friendly person. To a fault, actually. I have blogged before about the fact that I say hello to everyone who passes me on my block and I often say hello to people in the street. It's my thing and it sometimes drives my wife crazy. Unfortunately, I seemed to have passed that onto the Mushroom, my daughter!
She is the friendliest kid that I have ever seen (not that I go around measuring the friendliness of toddlers). She walks up to adults and children alike, introduces herself, and try to strike up a conversation. Luckily, is enrolled in an enrichment program that also has a bunch of friendly kids that all know each. So when she reaches out to people in that environment, it is reciprocated. However, in the 'outside' world, they're not so nice.
I have seen my poor child say hello to kids on the playground and get completely ignored. She loves playing with older kids and she is always saying "hey guys....hey guys!" to a group of kids who are busy doing their own things and , frankly, don't even see her trying to get their attention. I struggle with this. I tell her that when people don't respond, it's because they're not as nice as she is. But the truth of the matter is that she needs to know that not everyone wants to talk to her. That doesn't change how my heart breaks for her when I see her trying so hard to get noticed...and I have to suppress the urge to walk up to the offending kids and shake them saying, "HEY!!! DON'T YOU HEAR MY DAUGHTER TALKING TO YOU!?!?!?!" Not sure exactly what to do. I'm sure there is some developmental lesson happening there but really...kids are jerks....
These are my thoughts...what are yours?
4 comments:
As the mom of a friendly baby... I hear you. When kids don't respond to my child's warm welcome, I semi understand... Adults, eh not so much. I do not have a problem telling you about yourself if you are above the age of 8, 15, okay 18 and knowingly ignore the little person screaming "hello friend"... People like that are evil & shouldn't be allowed outside, ever.
Great read...
HAHAHAHA "Evil and shouldn't be allowed outside" I appreciate that! Come on people. It's a kid saying hello!! How heartless do you have to be to ignore THAT?!?!? Isn't it at LEAST a pleasant change from the rude ass rugrats that run around these days? I agree Cyn...adults have NO excuse!
I'd roll up and kick dirt on the parents of the illmannered kids... that would make me feel better... I'm just sayin....
Blogger needs a like button! Thanks Numba!!
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