My son got kicked in the back of the head

I took the kids to the little playground in our neighborhood this morning. Nobody else was there. We weren't there for long when this other couple came with their daughter. The father ran around the basketball court while the mom sat in the playground area, which is completely fenced. The girl wanted to push my daughter when they were on the baby swings so I let her and her mom told her not too high because she is just a baby (really a toddler but a 5 yr old wouldn't understand it). So fast forward and the 5 yr old goes to the swings and starts swinging. She wasn't swinging too high and I had to shoo my kids away since they don't understand yet not to go in front or behind someone on a swing. So mine went back on the playground and then my daughter goes back over to the swings. I run over there and she goes around the girl okay, who is now swinging rather high. BUt then I turn and my son is coming over and I tried to go over and grab him but he walked right in front of the girl and got kicked in the back of the head/neck and fell to the ground and of course I screamed. The other mom was just like "oh he's okay." SO I grabbed both the kids and took them to the car and when I got on the other side of the fence I said he's not okay, he just got kicked in the back of the head. and the dad said, with attitude, well she couldn't stop swinging when she is going that high. Now, i totally get it but what ticked me off is they weren't sympathetic at all. If it had been the other way around I would have been like I'm so sorry, she couldn't stop. Is he okay? And I know some people will disagree but I also would have told my kid to not go too high while the little kids were around. Now I feel like I can't go back to the playground since I don't want to run into them.

 

I'd still go back to the playground. Those parents do need to learn some manners an "I'm so sorry...is your son okay..." goes a long way. I am glad that your DS is okay :hug: I know I would be furious too.

 

Don't let that keep you from going to the playground again. They could have been a little bit sympathetic, you are right.

 

I agree that you should go back! We go to a park that has 2 baby swings and when my kids aren't in them they are always walking in front of them :gah: I usually just stand watch when another kid is swinging because honestly this is the only time they really get hurt. I'm sorry you had to go through that!

 

:hug: to you and to him! I know it was an accident but I agree a little compassion/sympathy goes a long way! I would have been so upset with myself and my child if they did that to a little kid! :hug:

I would totally still go to the park, but would keep a close eye out if they ever came at the same time as you again! :hug:

 

I don't think the parent of the child on the swing is at fault. Accidents happen. My kids have never actually been kicked, but they've nearly walked in front of the swing numerous times -- either they get dragged out of the way (sometimes by me, sometimes by a random bystander :laughing: ) at the last second, or I screech loud enough to get them to move.

That said, it would have been nice if they'd been sympathetic. But don't let it keep you away from the playground -- fenced-in playgrounds are hard to find!

 

Wow, that really sucks. Is your DS okay? I would have felt terrible if it had been my child who hurt another, even if it wasn't my child's fault. I'm really trying to teach my guys empathy for others, and I would have responded differently than that other couple as an example. Your LOs are young enough that they don't understand the consequences of walking in front of a swing, so it's really tough when you can't keep your hands on them every second!

I totally understand how you feel about not wanting to go back; I would feel the same way. But I think you should keep going and just be cordial when you see them. Good luck, and I hope your son is feeling well. :hug: