Bullies and Bigger Bullies

My son Jas was saved by his Mom from two small monsters -- well, they were children, but they we're brutally assaulting my son in the Mcdo playhouse -- or I might be exaggerating it since I'm the father of the victim.

Jas was cornered, grabbed and punched by a smaller boy who was bullying everyone else in the playhouse. Another kid, thinking that it was a wrestling game tried to climb the corner post and was about to jump ala-wrestler-mania at Jas when Jody came to rescue. I'm proud to say that Jas never use force on anyone, and would rather call the attention of a naughty kid's parents so as to get even. But he rarely calls for aid, ending up with bruises, scratches and swelling which he simply points out as part of the game.

But last night was different. Jas tasted a fist which was of violent intent, and not just an accidental game; he came to realized that he got bullied.

I got out of the restroom in time to see him alone in the table covering his reddish eye, his mom apparently went to get Ice for the swelling. He was sad and teary-eyed like a befallen boxing champ. He was wearing the pouting mouth and the wrinkled forehead, then he said out loud "Bad yung bata!". Jody came back and told me what happened; the ice compress was immediately used by Jas to remove the pain (See exhibit A below).

Exhibit A. Ice compress on swollen right eye

I was listening to Jody's story when Jas looked at me and begged "Dada pagalitan mo sila". My impulse would want to storm and scold the kid or the boy's parents for that matter. But I would end up showing Jas that size and age can be used as an authority and excuse for being mean to people: I'll end up as a bigger bully myself.

So I simply said "Samahan kita, tapos sabihin mo dun sa bata na bad ginawa niya ah". His face brightened into a smile and we soon found ourselves walking into the playhouse. The bully kid was busy when Jas courageously said "Bad ginawa mo oh. Tingnan mo mata ko." The kid, probably was too young to understand, curiously looked at the ice compress then ran to the slides without guilt. An adult overseeing what happened, seemed to have realized what his son just did. Jas, on the other hand, was busy showing off to older ates his war-scar. I told him to bade goodbye and he cheerfully shouted "Bye guys!".

As we walked home, Jas began to see the world with both eyes wide open and to the innocent realization that not all kids are harmless like him.