'Words will never hurt me..'

In my house growing up we were allowed to say things like, "stupid" or "shut up."

Last night we took our short 5 minute walk to a nearby park so the girls could play and my husband could run the track.

The girls were having fun playing and were amongst lots of older kids that were playing their version of 'tag' but it really looked like 'war.' They never really get phased when older kids play around them, as I'm sure the older ones always look out for them and don't knock them down.

As I was calling for them to come down off this high, pretend climbing rock, these three little boys that couldn't of been more than 6 years old, were chanting "shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up....." over and over again, at the entrance/exit of the rock thing. I don't think the girls knew who they were talking to and neither did I until all three boys blocked the entrance. They just continued with their chant as I was demanding that the girls come down.
In our household like mine growing up, the girls have been taught that we don't say "shut up" or "oh my gosh" ('gosh' leading to saying God's name in vain), and other tiny things.

And last night, watching Ava and Emma just stare at those boys chanting their silly chant, I watched my girls innocence slip away. While Ava kept saying, "we don't say, 'shut up!'" I know they are gunna start school and say things I wouldn't dream of my angels saying.

But I wonder, am I setting them up for embarassment or disappointment that their mama taught them silly rules that I was taught. What do you think?

It does sing true when you say, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." BUT, I did make a point of telling the girls during the motion of this episode in front of these little guys that boys tease and say such things when they like girls. These boys were little 4 year old bullies. Bullies I wanted to smack.

I know this is a tiny, little episode and it is/gets much worse, but it made me realize to really enjoy, embrace and adore these years. They are so sweet and innocent and loving. As much as I want to keep them under my wings, protected from these things, it is good for them. Coddling them will do them no good.