It's a snowball fight, not 'The Untouchables'
Dear Amy: Last night my 6-year-old son was participating in a snowball fight with a group of friends after school.
One of the other boys threw a snowball into my son's face, which cut the bridge of his nose. My son's reaction was to punch the other boy in the face, which gave that boy a bloody nose. Both my husband and the other boy's father agreed that both boys were wrong and they were made to apologize to one another.
What bothers me is that everyone I have told about the incident, when they hear how my son reacted, has said something along the lines of, "Good for him!"
I, on the other hand, am upset that my son responded to violence (which may very well have been accidental) with more violence.
As soon as our son started school, my husband and I told him that if he witnessed or is ever a victim of someone else's bad behavior, that he should stand up for himself with words, and/or tell an adult.
Others seem to think that when hit, it's perfectly OK to hit back. But then again, we don't want our son to be labeled a "tattletale." What is your take on this, Amy?
Anxious for spring
Dear Anxious: Your son is six. His father (and the father of the other boy) responded appropriately in the moment.
I agree that you and your husband should talk to your boy about the imbalance of responding to a snowball hit with a punch to the nose.
When kids are playing, accidents (and incidents) happen. It should be a universal "rule" to NEVER aim anything at anyone's head. However, sometimes during play, people do get hurt. When this happens, play stops while everybody makes sure everybody else is OK. That's all part of being a good sport.
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