to be involved in toddler disputes?

[CoteDAzur]

DD (2.9) is very gentle. Caresses other children, cries her eyes out when they push or hit her. Which is all part of growing up. I never got involved in any of it.

However, over the last year or so, two boys (separately) have started consistently picking on her. By 'picking on', I mean that they wait until mums look away, run to her and push her to the ground or hit her. She does nothing but cry.

Today, one of these boys again came to her when DD had her back to him and pushed her so that she hit the wooden chair in front of her and would fall if I hadn't caught her.

With a smile on his face, he was on the way back to his mum when I got up, dragged him over to crying DD, came down to their level, and said "What you did was not good. Apologize to her."

He was so stunned he couldn't move nor talk. I said "You will never do that again" and he only nodded. His mum came at that point and said "Her mum is right" and the boy started to cry.

I'm not proud that I made a 3 year old cry today, but frankly, I'm done pretending this repeated bullying is OK.

AIBU?

My mum was a teacher for over 40 years and always says best thing to do is teach your child to shout stop it (name) or don't do that (name) too - just like hatrick says.

Would certainly get attention of his mum and maybe embarress (?sp) her into submission and get her to deal with him properly

I would actually be grateful that you'd done it too .. and I think the mother showed her support too .. good for her, that's what normally happens

YANBU. And FWIW I don't think that firmly guiding a toddler by the arm is wrong either. He needed to apologise to your DD face to face. Glad the other mum backed you up.

eerrmmmmm teaching!! Likeminds eh?

Lucky for me my mum retired in time for my DS1!! BIG

I've been teaching DD to put her hand out and shout "No!". We even practiced it on the huge tweety in the house. She doesn't do it to other kids yet, though.

You re doing all you can. It must be so upsetting for both of you.