Upon Further Reflection
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Lauren
Thankfully through the whole thing, Lauren was watching a Tom and Jerry cartoon. One the one hand, it may have been a good thing for her to hear me stand up for her. I was firm but not angry or upset which would be a good thing for her to witness. I didn't say everything I could have - you know, I could have gone on about how everyone has something different about them and that's what makes each person an individual and special. Of course, this little girl was probably barely four years old so it may have been lost on her. Then again, maybe it was enough for her and she'll be better at watching what she's says. I'll never know.

On the other hand, I want to protect her for as long as I can (which I'm sure isn't much longer what with kindergarten next year) and I don't want her to hear or pay attention to such comments.

And on the third hand (there usually seems to be one of those, doesn't there?) she's going to have learn to handle these types of comments on her own. We need to either give her some ideas for replies or make sure that she truly doesn't pay any attention to the remarks.

Hey - wait a minute! I guess it takes writing it down to see that I have to do all three and, in fact, am doing all three. By saying something on her behalf, I'm standing up for her and giving her comments that she will be able to use in the future. And both of those things are protecting her, in the present and in the future.