(no subject)

[lizzybennet]

We spent a long time in town today, resulting in dirty and tired boys. Now that they’ve all had showers, we’re going to play a family game of “Mario Party 7”. Always makes for a good time.

While we were out and about today, I stood up for Connor’s personal space twice. I’m very proud of myself. When we first moved here, I felt hesitant to tell people to leave the kids alone because I didn’t want to be rude, I felt shy, I felt baffled about what was happening, etc. It’s a difficult phenomenon to explain. Today, we went to visit a tower that we see every time we cross the bridge over the Yangtze. This tower was used in the Ming Dynasty as a look out tower and various dynasties and factions have used it in the years since. As Connor and I were walking towards the tower, with me holding his hand, I suddenly felt him jerk backwards. I turned and a woman had taken his hand and was pulling him the other way. I sternly said “Bu yao” to her, which means literally “Don’t want”, but can also be used as “don’t do that, quit it, leave us alone”.

The second time was at Dairy Queen, which is located in a huge underground food court. While we were seated eating our ice cream, workers in the booth beside us were leaning over our table, petting Connor’s face. I waved my hand at them to shoo them away. They didn’t stop right away, so I did it again and they stopped. It’s a good feeling to know that I can stand up for them. I’m going to do it much more often.

Comments

[shivedheart.livejournal.com]

WTF?! Oy!!

My brother always joked that he stood out when he went anywhere in Asia, as a tall, white, bald guy! So much so that it seemed he was the only white person there. He got off the plane in the states and whispered, as a joke, "I see white people!" (I see dead people play on words)

But seriously - what was that woman thinking, grabbing his hand like that? I'm sorry, your son is very cute, but he is YOUR son! She wouldn't like it if you took one of her kids and hauled them off. What was she planning on doing? Showing him off? Taking a picture? God, that's rude! Good for you for standing up!

Does all this random attention freak him out?

[risingpheenix.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the exact same thing. If you read her other posts you'll see that they get a lot of attention but this seems like the first time she's mentioned anyone trying to pull the child away from her.

Miss T, you did the best thing. I'm so glad you were strong and told these people to go away. I know Connor is happy about it too.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

I've always been slightly ashamed of myself for not standing up for them more. Somewhere in my mind, I feel like I'm being rude if I say "No, you can't take his picture, he doesn't like it." or "stop patting his head!" But why is that rude of me? Aren't they the ones being presumptious? I'll get better as time goes by, as I have more opportunities to assert myself :)

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Yes, this attention does freak him out. It freaks all three of them out. Unfortunately, it's hard to avoid. My friend who has a young child (year and a half) has this happen to her much more often. This was the first time I've had someone try to take my kids away. Mariannette has people take her baby out of her arms and walk away with it.

"I see white people"...I felt the same way when I got back to the States for Christmas! It was awesome to see diversity everywhere.

[julieo.livejournal.com]

You go!

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[hermionesmum.livejournal.com]

I'm shocked someone thought it was okay to just grab hold of Connor! Well done for standing up for him. You seem much more comfortable since you went back.

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

I do feel much more comfortable, it's true. It's nice to feel that way, too.

[goal145.livejournal.com]

Mmm, I loves me some Mario Party.


I must admit, folks exhibiting that kind of behavior toward my progeny would result in hysteria on my part. Go you.

[heidial.livejournal.com]

Yeah T!