Two moms at a local preschool don’t get along. They have very different values and have never really clicked. One of the moms, who we’ll call Sue, doesn’t really invest a lot of energy in the differences and always takes the high road. The other mom, who we’ll call Jill, constantly makes unkind comments about Sue to the other mothers. Most of the other moms like both women and try not to get involved, but lately Jill’s comments have been so mean spirited that they have been feeling uncomfortable.
The issue came to a head when Jill’s 4 year old daughter asked another child how they could be friends with Sue’s son, then went on to berate the other 4 year old to his peers. Of course we are not going to get along with everyone, but what kind of message are we sending our children when we teach them this kind of intolerance?
It has become an uncomfortable issue for the entire preschool class. Should the other parents get involved? Should the teachers or the preschool administration get involved?
Have you ever faced this kind of situation? How would you handle it?
Teaching our children intolerance
The issue came to a head when Jill’s 4 year old daughter asked another child how they could be friends with Sue’s son, then went on to berate the other 4 year old to his peers. Of course we are not going to get along with everyone, but what kind of message are we sending our children when we teach them this kind of intolerance?
It has become an uncomfortable issue for the entire preschool class. Should the other parents get involved? Should the teachers or the preschool administration get involved?
Have you ever faced this kind of situation? How would you handle it?