All kids can get a little rough when they're engaging in active play. Sometimes, children can get hurt, and that's when it's our responsibility as adults to step in and assess the situation.
Most of the time, parents are able to handle the issue successfully and, in the process, impart amazing, valuable lessons onto the kids. Some parents even go to extreme lengths to battle the effects of bullying.
But what happens when not all adults are on the same page? What happens when their attitudes about children are completely opposite of our own?
One mom from Columbus, Ohio was furious when her daughter was injured — but she wasn't angry at the child who had hurt her daughter.
Instead, she fired back at one of the hospital staff who said some very unexpected words to her daughter when they arrived at the hospital…
Scroll further to understand this mother's point of view, and let us know what you think of her powerful message in the comments down below.
Recently, Merritt Smith went into full panic mode when a boy hit her 4-year-old daughter at school. She immediately took her daughter to the hospital to get stitches, but did not expect hospital staff to treat her daughter like they did.
To this mother's horror, a hospital employee told her daughter that the little boy probably had a good reason to hit her. "I bet the boy likes you," he said.
When Merritt returned home from the hospital visit, she took to Facebook to talk about her experience. Below is her full Facebook post, which has garnered almost 40,000 shares:
"I bet he likes you."
Dear man at the registration desk at Children's hospital, l'm positive that you didn't think that statement through. As soon as I heard it I knew that is where it begins. That statement is where the idea that hurting is flirting begins to set a tone for what is acceptable behavior. My four year old knows "That's not how we show we like someone. That was not a good choice."
In that moment, hurt and in a new place, worried about perhaps getting a shot or stitches, you were a person we needed to help us and your words of comfort conveyed a message that someone who likes you might hurt you. No. I will not allow that message to be ok. I will not allow it to be louder than "That's not how we show we like each other."
At that desk you are in a position of influence, whether you realize it or not. You thought you were making the moment lighter. It is time to take responsibility for the messages we as a society give our children. Do Not tell my 4 year old who needs stitches from a boy at school hitting her "I bet he likes you." NO.
Merritt doesn't want to bring shame upon the child who injured her daughter. Rather, she wants to encourage discussion between parents on how to best treat situations like these, and how to best protect their children.
Please SHARE if you agree with this mother's meaningful sentiment, and if you're praying for that little girl's speedy recovery.
