God. I've yet to meet Emmett, but I've got a real strong urge to tell those kids that, should they want to see their next birthday? A new hobby would be a Very Good Choice. How scary would I be for my kid? Parents meets Paulie Walnuts. Yikes.

Oh Hec, I'm so sorry. Some kids grow up in these aggressive homes, and their parents (and I think this happens to little boys, especially) seem to train them the way they'd train Pit Bulls. It's scary and awful. Poor Emmett. I hope this passes easily for him.

I think he'll be okay. He's pretty grabby himself on the playground and used to lots of rough play with his friends. But it wasn't like that. Emmett's never been in a fight, and this was definitely aggressive behavior, not play.

It just turned in a second. It was like watching one of those nature films where all the babboons are contentedly picking nits and suddenly three of them pounce on another one and pound on it for no obvious reason.

I think the other kids all knew each other, and none of Emmett's friends were over there playing with him. He mostly looked shocked - much like Ben, I suppose - that people would act that way.

Skipping like a mad thing to post ridiculous cuteness (as is my wont): [link]

~ma to all that need it!

Job~ma to Anne and Trudy!! May you be able to retire interview suits very soon.

job~ma to Anne and Trudy.

In a way, I am heartbroken about Polgara's mom. It's just not right.

Much ~ma to Anne. And Trudy.

Punctuation to Polgara and pawswithclaws.

He drove himself to the nearest hospital (?!)

I just posted a "Been There; Done That; Ate the T-Shirt" comment in your LJ. My Dad is notorious for driving himself to the hospital while his heart is doing the hokey-pokey.

My dad once drove himself to the hospital for angina pain, checked in, and had to call a buddy to have him let us know where he was, as he couldn't remember his own phone number. ("Well, it's not like I ever call myself.")

I think he'll be okay. He's pretty grabby himself on the playground and used to lots of rough play with his friends.

Yeah, Ben is like that, too. I don't consider that ungentle, because there's nothing mean behind it. There's youth, and vigor, goofiness, and excitement, and poor self-control behind it maybe, but no malice.

But it wasn't like that. Emmett's never been in a fight, and this was definitely aggressive behavior, not play.

Yeah, and screw them. That's what happened with the boy who punched Ben. It just *turned* instantly.

job~ma to Trudy.

The violent children issue reminds me that I have a parenting question: Annabel, while normally still a sunny-natured child, throws the occasional mini-tantrum when her will is thwarted. In particular, if I have to pick her up to keep her from committing some self- or property-destructive act, she'll yell and grab hard at whatever comes to hand--which means yanking my glasses off or pulling my hair. I've been dealing with this by prying her hand free and telling her in a sharp, firm, but controlled voice that We. Do. Not. Pull. Hair.

Is this good enough? I'm not freaked out by the mere fact that she has a temper and/or violent impulses. I mean, she's my daughter and I have plenty of both. But I don't want her to turn into a playground terror once she's in daycare and/or school.

This is normal. You are doing the right thing.

I think we all have violent impulses, Susan. Just the fact that she does that doesn't mean you did anything wrong, but I wouldn't know whatto do or anything.