A Welsh mother has explained why she refused to tell off her son after he pushed another child at a soft play centre. Tyla Atwood said her son Luca was defending his two-year-old friend Kyrie from a persistent bully.
Incident at soft play
Atwood said the other child had repeatedly snatched toys from Kyrie and refused to let him play. She had already intervened once to return a toy and separated the children to opposite ends of the play area.
Despite her efforts, the situation escalated when a group of children began jumping on Kyrie, and in the ball pit, Kyrie was shoved to the floor. Luca then pushed the other child back.
Mother's reasoning
Atwood explained that she had taught Luca to inform a parent the first time something happens, but if it happens again, he should "do whatever he needs to do." She said she didn't tell him off because he was standing up for his friend.
She said: "As someone who used to be bullied in school, I won't put up with that. Luca saw him bullying his mate and he wasn't having it and he pushed him back. So I don't care if you think I'm wrong, sometimes these kids need to be sorted out."
Parent reactions
Other parents sided with Atwood, with some saying they avoid soft play centres due to lazy parenting. One commented: "I have stopped going to soft plays now because it's literally is just a breeding ground for lazy parents. As a mum to an 18-month-old and a near on 7-year-old, I can see both sides of the soft play and the way both of my children get treated just isn't worth the hassle."
Another said: "I have to much anxiety to just let my kids off and go play and not watch them I don't get how parents aren't worried about where their kids are or what they are doing."
