I am developing an aversion to children...

Not my own you understand, but I've just had a tricky situation in the playground at school.

I'm very fortunate in that I can take my children to school most days. I know there are lots of mums who have to work so miss out on the "school run". Today I was stood chatting to a couple of the other mums, you know how it is: one eye on the conversation, one eye on the clock, one eye on my 6 year old, one eye on Tok. I was enjoying the opportunity of observing Tok in "his natural environment", he was stood with a group of children who ranged in age upto around 6. They seemed to be laughing and joking and generally enjoying themselves. But my Mummy radar was tingling (I should mention that I have special powers when it comes to sniffing out trouble) and decided a little wander to get closer to the group was in order.

I was more than a little annoyed when I heard one of the boys stage-whisper "Say the "s" word" just as another little boy ran past and said "Say pooh bum". *gutted* My little Tok thought this was a wonderful game, he loves people giving him attention and was obviously delighted to have so many children milling around him.

Suffice to say I VERY firmly told each boy "You DO NOT teach the little ones to say rude words" and stalked away. I then approached one of the Mum's to let her know what I had said to her son, and why. Sad to say that I waited with baited breath to see if she would be okay with me dealing with the situation in the way I had (I'm happy for my children to be told off in an appropriate way if they are being naughty but not everyone is) and was relieved when she said it wasn't a problem and that she'd have a word with him after school.

I'm calm.

I realise that early years of school come with their share of "rude" words being heard (as a Mum of 3 I'm hardly a novice). But what's heartbreaking about this situation is the very fine line that is being trod between "children playing with Tok" and "children showing malintent towards Tok".

How do I explain subtle difference between "larking around with friends" and "inappropriate play"? I think I would struggle to explain this to an average 5 year old let alone our little chap....

-- Mum of Tok