10/08/2026
Have you ever witnessed another kid being mean to your kid? Not only can it be uncomfortable to correct someone else’s child, but we also don’t want to swoop in to fix everything and inadvertently make our kids feel like they can’t handle things like this themselves — because at some point, they’ll need to! So we can use this as an opportunity to teach that skill.
1️⃣ First, give your child a chance to respond, and see if the kids can work it out themselves without escalating.
2️⃣ If not, use an assertive (not aggressive or passive) tone to talk to the other child.
Remember, it’s easier to stay calm if you assume positive intent. That is if you think something like, “Oops, they must still be working on gentle touch” instead of, “That kid should know better than to hit!!” One way to strike the right assertive tone — where you’re firmly stating facts, without asking, cajoling, or getting angry or loud — is to recite facts to yourself. “The sky is blue. The grass is green. You may not hit, hitting hurts.”
3️⃣ If your child has set a boundary that the other kid is ignoring, call attention back to your child and the boundary. “I heard her say she doesn’t like that. Did you hear her, too?”
4️⃣ Use the phrasing “you may, you may, you may not.” For example, “You can use helpful hands like this (and demonstrate), or you can keep your hands to yourself like this (and demonstrate), but you may not push.”)
5️⃣ Give your child a voice! Ask them how they felt in the situation, and what they could say to get their needs met. Help them practice what they can say to set boundaries with other kids, like “I don’t like being touched, please give me space” or “Don’t call me that. My name is _____.”
6️⃣ If it continues, explain, “If you can’t play safely, then _____ will not be able to play with you because it’s my job to keep them safe.”
All information provided by ParentsTogether — https://fb.com/ParentsTogetherOrg
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Posts are for general information only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For privacy, avoid posting personal health details.
